Clarkdale, Arizona Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Clarkdale lies along the Verde River in the Verde Valley of Yavapai County. Flash flooding from monsoon storms and seasonal high flows on the Verde River threaten low-lying areas near the river corridor.
Yavapai County has recorded 466 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $6.2M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 9
NFIP Policies
1,829
Yavapai County
Avg. Premium
$1,170/yr
Yavapai County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Yavapai County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $69.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Yavapai County
Yavapai County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Yavapai County, including Clarkdale.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Yavapai County
Properties in Yavapai County have filed 466 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $13K.
Highest-Claim Years
1993
80 claims - $1.0M
2004
45 claims - $776K
1980
40 claims - $189K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Yavapai County
An estimated 2% of households in Yavapai County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
2%
Claims Ratio
1 in 4
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$13,388
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Yavapai County
Yavapai County has 27 properties with multiple flood losses, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
27
Severe Rep. Loss
3
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: YAVAPAI County
NOAA has recorded 350 flood events in YAVAPAI County since 1996, causing $11.3M in damage and 6 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Yavapai County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 106 properties in Yavapai County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Clarkdale
Clarkdale is vulnerable to flash flooding, where intense rainfall overwhelms drainage systems and sends water rushing through streets, arroyos, or low-lying areas within minutes. Unlike river flooding, flash floods arrive with little warning and can be deadly in urban areas and desert terrain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Clarkdale are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $69.7M. Clarkdale has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Flash flood risk is difficult to predict by zone alone because intense localized rainfall can flood areas outside mapped SFHA boundaries. Under Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA accounts for distance to water, drainage characteristics, and rainfall intensity, not just the flood zone line on a map. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flash flood zone boundaries may shift when FEMA updates its stormwater drainage studies or when new development changes runoff patterns. Urbanization, in particular, increases impervious surface area and can expand flood risk into previously unaffected neighborhoods. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Clarkdale address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Clarkdale
Clarkdale participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Clarkdale's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Clarkdale, AZ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Clarkdale, AZ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Clarkdale are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Clarkdale?
If your Clarkdale property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Clarkdale?
Enter your Clarkdale address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Clarkdale offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Clarkdale participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Clarkdale experienced major flooding events?
Yavapai County, where Clarkdale is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina Evacuation in 2005. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Clarkdale?
Yavapai County has recorded 466 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1993, with 80 claims and $1.0M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Clarkdale.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Clarkdale?
Yavapai County currently has 1,829 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,170. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,188 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Clarkdale properties have flooded repeatedly?
Yavapai County has 27 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Clarkdale property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Clarkdale?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Clarkdale's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.