Enter any address in Morgan County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms dominates flood events in Morgan County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 32 flash flood events and 8 general flood events. Recent examples include localized flash flooding near Brush on August 14, 2017, where law enforcement closed two roadways due to high water. On July 24, 2022, heavy rain in the Glen Haven and Crystal Mountain areas caused flash flooding, damaging roads and washing out stream crossings.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a range of flood impacts across different zones. Zone A experienced 23 claims with an average payout of $5,910 and an average water depth of 0.6 feet. Zone X, while having fewer claims (4), showed significantly higher average payouts of $57,704 with an average water depth of 0.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Morgan County, Colorado has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 11, 2013 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Apr 11, 2001 |
| Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, Flash Floods, Flooding, Mudslides | Flood | Jul 28, 1997 |
| Heavy Rains, Snowmelt And Flooding | Flood | May 23, 1973 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | May 19, 1969 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2022 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2017 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2016 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2015 | 150.00K |
| Flood | May 9, 2015 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2015 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2014 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2014 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2024
Slow moving thunderstorms produced flash flooding with up to four inches of rainfall reported in Brush and north of Punkin Center. In addition to the heavy rainfall, hail up to two inches in diameter and 68 mph winds were reported.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2022
In the Glen Haven and Crystal Mountain areas heavy rain produced flash flooding. Radar estimated 0.50 to 0.75 inch of rain in 30 minutes. Miller Fork washed over Larimer County Road 43 at Streamside Drive near The Retreat, closing the roadway. Streamside Drive was damaged but passable. Black Creek Drive in The Retreat was damaged pretty significantly. Every stream crossing along Black Cree...
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2017
Localized flash flooding was observed near Brush. Law enforcement closed two roadways due to high water for approximately one hour.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2016
Severe thunderstorms produced damaging hail from quarter to baseball size. In addition, straight-line winds leveled a greenhouse and caused tree damage. Very heavy rain in Fort Morgan produced flash flooding. A peak wind gust to 74 mph was measured at Denver International Airport.
Flood — Jun 15, 2015
A levee breach along the South Platte River inundated farmland across northeast Morgan and northwest Washington Counties. The breach also washed out a Union Pacific railroad tracks with forced the closure of the railroad for several days until repair could be completed.
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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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.