Enter any address in Rio Blanco County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Rio Blanco County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 33 flash flood events and 8 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 24, 2025, and July 26, 2019, both linked to monsoonal moisture and intense thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone A areas have had more claims (4), Zone X areas have experienced higher average payouts ($4,938) and significantly deeper water (12.0 ft) in their claims. Properties in Zone X, Zone X Shaded, and Zone A areas should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rio Blanco County, Colorado has recorded 41 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 7 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 (1984–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Fire | Fire | Aug 2, 2025 |
| Lee Fire | Fire | Aug 2, 2025 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2019 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 26, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2009 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2025
A plume of anomalously rich monsoonal moisture pushed into eastern Utah and western Colorado in the days prior to these debris flows. On the day of the flows, precipitable water values were in excess of 1.00 inch across the region. Daytime heating acting on the complex terrain of the region allowed for the formation of thunderstorms during the afternoon. These storms were capable of producing h...
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2019
Strong instability and adequate subtropical moisture from the North American Monsoon led to training thunderstorms which developed across western Colorado. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to localized flooding and debris flows across some southwest and west-central counties.
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2017
A very moist air mass where thunderstorms developed in a slow moving westerly flow resulted in heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2014
A very active monsoon thunderstorm outbreak caused several flash floods and debris flows across western Colorado where there were numerous reports of rainfall rates in excess of one inch per hour.
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2014
Active monsoonal conditions brought heavy rainfall to many parts of western Colorado on the 4th. Numerous roads were washed out and debris flows caused some traffic delays. Hail to the size of quarters accumulated to the depth of 2 inches in the Redlands of the Grand Valley.
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 Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco 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.