Enter any address in Moffat County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Moffat County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 10 flood events and 7 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. Recent events include localized flash flooding and mudslides in steep terrain on July 16, 2024, due to heavy rainfall. Additionally, on August 16, 2023, heavy rain from slow-moving storms caused flooding in portions of Moffat County. Accelerated snowmelt from near-record snowpacks also contributed to high flows and flooding that compromised roads and bridges on April 13, 2023.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those in steep terrain or near drainages, should pay close attention. Homeowners with properties located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) should be aware of their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Moffat County, Colorado has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 6 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Jul 27, 1984 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 16, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 4.00K |
| Flood | Jul 6, 2019 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2013 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jun 4, 2011 | 25.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2024
High pressure began to retrograde to the west towards Arizona with drier air moving in from the north, keeping the subtropical moisture in place for areas south of Interstate 70. Enough moisture remained in addition to a shortwave moving through the flow to allow for a few strong storms still capable of moderate to heavy rainfall rates, that produced some localized flash flooding and mudslides ...
Flood — May 18, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in several counties across the Western Slope. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads and areas. This included some lanes along I-70 west of Fruita, Colorado.
Flood — May 16, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in several counties across the Western Slope. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads and areas. This included some lanes along I-70 west of Fruita, Colorado.
Flood — Aug 16, 2023
Abundant subtropical moisture paired with weak steering flow resulted in slow moving showers and thunderstorms across the higher terrain of western Colorado. Some of the stronger storms produced heavy rain which led to debris flows in portions of Garfield County, including on the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar in Glenwood Canyon. Flooding also occurred in portions of Moffat County due to heavy ra...
Flood — Apr 13, 2023
Above normal temperatures accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack. This resulted in high and fast flows on several rivers and drainages across Western Colorado. The increased runoff and flooding compromised several county roads and bridges across Montezuma, Archuleta, Routt, Delta, Dolores, Montrose, and Moffat counties.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Moffat County, Colorado:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Moffat County, Colorado that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.