Enter any address in San Miguel County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms dominates San Miguel County's flood character. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 28 flash flood events compared to 7 general flood events. Recent examples include heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Harold causing flooding and debris flows in August 2023, and accelerated snowmelt leading to high flow on drainages in May 2023.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims and the deepest water, with an average payout of $12,629 and an average water depth of 5.9 feet. While Zone X and Zone X_Shaded properties have seen fewer claims and shallower water, payouts in Zone X_Shaded have been substantial, averaging $9,135. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_Shaded and near drainages, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
San Miguel County, Colorado has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 7 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 | Aug 24, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2016 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 24, 2023
Remnants from Tropical Storm Harold lifted across the Desert Southwest. This, combined with already abundant subtropical moisture, resulted in widespread showers and thunderstorms across western Colorado. Storms were slow moving and produced heavy rain. As a result of the heavy rain, some flooding and debris flows occurred in portions of Gunnison, Garfield, Mesa, and Montezuma counties.
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.
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2021
High pressure retrograted in response to a deepening mid-level trough over the center of the nation and parked over western Colorado. Even so, subtropical moisture remained entrenched over the area with precipitable water values exceeding an inch and trending over 150% of the climatological norm. As a result, widespread showers and thunderstorms erupted over western Colorado. Additionally, conv...
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 — Jul 20, 2016
A weak disturbance which moved over the San Juan Mountains in a moist environment resulted in thunderstorms with intense rainfall during the afternoon. This resulted in flash floods and mudslides in Sawpit and Placerville.
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 San Miguel 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 San Miguel 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.