Enter any address in Washoe County, Nevada to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from monsoon moisture events dominates the flood character in Washoe County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 31 flash flood events and 29 flood events, with two fatalities recorded. Recent events in August 2025, for example, saw heavy rain and localized flooding resulting from atmospheric moisture interacting with a short-wave trough.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $45,852 and an average water depth of 3.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a high average payout of $66,758, with an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washoe County, Nevada has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 29 river or area floods. The county has received 48 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 (1965–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Peavine Fire | Fire | Aug 2, 2025 |
| Marie Fire | Fire | Jun 10, 2025 |
| Callahan Fire | Fire | Nov 11, 2024 |
| Davis Fire | Fire | Sep 7, 2024 |
| Gold Ranch Fire | Fire | Aug 11, 2024 |
| Sullivan Fire | Fire | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Trail Fire | Fire | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Joy Lake Fire | Fire | Aug 14, 2022 |
| Pinehaven Fire | Fire | Nov 17, 2020 |
| Loyalton Fire | Fire | Aug 15, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 1.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2025
During the late afternoon and evening of the 27th, intense thunderstorms produced significant rainfall and hail throughout the greater Reno metro area. This lead to several reports of flooded buildings as well as road closures due to flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 27, 2025
A high amount of atmospheric moisture in the region interacted with a short-wave trough, allowing for widespread heavy precipitation. This was day five of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2025
A high amount of atmospheric moisture in the region interacted with a short-wave trough, allowing for widespread heavy precipitation. This was day four of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2025
A four corners high pressure continued to allow for a high amount of atmospheric moisture to move north into the region as it interacted with a short-wave trough. This was day three of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
Flood — Jul 24, 2024
Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rain and a flash flood potential along with strong outflow gusts through Wednesday. Abundant moisture and instability were present as noted by the 0.81 PWAT reading from the 23 July 1200Z KREV sounding this morning. Sufficient clearing also helped temperatures to climb well above average for late July. Short term high-resolution HREF guidance showed an uptick...
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 Washoe County, Nevada:
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 Washoe County, Nevada 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.