Enter any address in Montrose County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding and riverine flooding have been the dominant flood types in Montrose County over the past 30 years, with 23 flash flood events and 17 flood events recorded. Recent events in April and May 2023 illustrate the impact of accelerated snowmelt from near-record snowpacks, leading to high flows on rivers and drainages. This runoff compromised county roads and bridges, and flooded low-lying areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that while Zone A areas have experienced claims with significant water depths, Zone X areas have also seen claims with substantial payouts, indicating flood risk extends beyond high-risk zones. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_Unshaded should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located near rivers and drainages, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), warrant particular attention.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Montrose County, Colorado has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2020)
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 |
| Co - Burn Canyon Fire - 07/15/02 | Fire | Jul 14, 2002 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Jul 27, 1984 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
| Flooding & Landslides | Flood | Jul 6, 1973 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Sep 22, 1970 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 25, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 11, 2023 | 4.00K |
| Flood | Jul 30, 2022 | 5.00K |
Flood — Apr 25, 2023
Increased snowmelt from warm temperatures caused flooding in Montrose County.
Flood — May 24, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in several west-central counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads in the counties.
Flood — May 23, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in several west-central counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads in the counties.
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.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Montrose 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 Montrose 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.