Enter any address in Routt County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and snowmelt-driven flooding are the dominant flood types in Routt County. Recent events include flooding along the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs in April and May 2024 due to increased snowmelt, and localized flooding in Steamboat Springs in August 2023 following heavy rainfall from a tropical storm remnant. Additionally, high flows from accelerated snowmelt in April 2023 compromised county roads and bridges.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has experienced 17 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims with an average payout of $2,621 and an average water depth of 0.3 feet, should pay close attention. While Zone X has seen fewer claims, its average payout is significantly higher at $27,227 with an average water depth of 1.2 feet, indicating potential for more substantial damage. Residents in areas prone to river overflow and those located near waterways should be particularly 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.
Routt County, Colorado has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 27, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 14, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 27, 2024
As snowmelt began to pick up at the end of the month of April, increased flows on the Yampa river through the town of Steamboat Springs led to multiple and various closures of the Yampa River Core Trail.
Flood — May 14, 2024
As snow began to melt at an increased pace late in the month of May, river levels once again increased across portions of northwest Colorado. In particular, in Steamboat Springs once water levels rise above roughly 3.5 feet, portions of the Yampa River Core Trail begin to flood.
Flood — Aug 25, 2023
Remnants from decaying Tropical Storm Harold slowly exited western Colorado. This continued abundant moisture resulted in widespread showers and thunderstorms across much of the region. Storms were slow moving and produced heavy rain. As a result of the heavy rain, some localized flooding occurred in Steamboat Springs in Routt County with debris flows reported in portions of Gunnison County.
Flood — Apr 18, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in Routt County. As a result, flooding compromised some county roads and locations in Hayden, Colorado.
Flood — May 15, 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 Routt 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 Routt 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.