Enter any address in Otero County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Otero County. Recent events include flash flooding on July 19, 2023, and flooding along the Arkansas River on June 12, 2024, due to snowmelt and reservoir releases, and again on July 3, 2024, from locally heavy rainfall.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 27 flash flood events and 12 flood events. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $11,055 and an average water depth of 8.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen significant claims, averaging $30,857 with 2.3 feet of water.
Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED, as these areas have historically seen the most flood insurance claims and significant water depths.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Otero County, Colorado has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 9 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 (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Flooding 4/30/99 | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 1999 |
| Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, Flash Floods, Flooding, Mudslides | Flood | Jul 28, 1997 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
| Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding | Tornado | Jun 19, 1965 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 12, 2024 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 12, 2024
Snowmelt runoff in the upper Arkansas (above Pueblo) and high flow releases from Pueblo Reservoir resulted in minor flooding at numerous forecast points along the Arkansas River.
Flash Flood — Jul 7, 2024
Strong storms and flash flooding on July 7th for Prowers, Bent, Otero Counties.
Flood — Jul 3, 2024
Locally heavy rainfall resulted in a quick rise and brief period of minor flooding along the Arkansas River in La Junta.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2023
An upper level high pressure center was located over central Arizona and central New Mexico which resulted in a favorable pattern for efficient diurnal wind fluctuations including upslope oriented winds towards WFO Pueblo's eastern mountains. Weak waves embedded in the upper level northwesterly flow enhanced the lift and the pattern enhanced the deep shear. The result was a very rare mountainou...
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2023
The beginning of a very wet month began with flash flooding and a few severe weather reports in early June. There was a closed low pressure located over California bringing Pacific based moisture over southern 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 Otero 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 Otero 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.