Enter any address in Okanogan County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is a significant flood character in Okanogan County. In the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 40 flood events and 40 flash flood events. Recent examples include a July 2023 event where a strong system brought scattered thunderstorms, and May 2023 events where heavy rains and snowmelt caused flooding and washouts.
NFIP claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen the most claims, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the deepest average water depth at 5.3 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X should be particularly aware of their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Okanogan County, Washington has recorded 80 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 40 flash floods and 40 river or area floods. The county has received 39 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 (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Swawilla Fire | Fire | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2024 |
| Eagle Bluff Fire | Fire | Jul 29, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Nov 3, 2022 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Floodin | Flood | Dec 26, 2021 |
| Muckamuck Fire | Fire | Aug 15, 2021 |
| Cedar Creek Fire | Fire | Jul 19, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 29, 2020 |
| Cold Springs/pearl Hill Fire | Fire | Sep 7, 2020 |
| Wildfires And Straight-line Winds | Fire | Sep 1, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2023 | 0.25K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2022 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2022 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2022 | 400.00K |
| Flood | Nov 17, 2021 | 40.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2023
A strong system moved through Eastern Washington and brought scattered thunderstorms. The main areas stretched along Highway 2 from Waterville Plateau to Northern Spokane County.
Flood — Jan 12, 2023
Mild temperatures and rain of three quarter an inch to one inch created some localized flooding and rock slides in the Cascades.
Flood — May 4, 2023
A slow moving Low brought slow moving thunderstorms with hail, wind, and heavy rain. The heavy rains and snow melt caused flooding issues and washouts.
Flash Flood — Aug 22, 2022
A stationary thunderstorm stayed over the area for several hours and produced significant amount of rain over the area.
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2022
Another round widespread stratiform rain showers impacted the Inland Northwest. With the ground already saturated from previous system, the rain began to impact the region quickly with three quarters to an inch of rain.
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 Okanogan County, Washington:
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 Okanogan County, Washington 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.