Flagstaff, Arizona Flood Zones
Flagstaff experiences flooding from snowmelt and monsoon thunderstorms, with the Rio de Flag posing the primary flood threat. Wildfire burn scars on surrounding mountains have increased flash flood and debris flow risks.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Coconino 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: $85.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Coconino County
Coconino County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Coconino County, including Flagstaff.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Coconino County
Properties in Coconino County have filed 294 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $18K.
Highest-Claim Years
1993
41 claims - $445K
2004
38 claims - $869K
2022
36 claims - $807K
Claims by Flood Zone
Zone X
127
Zone A
85
Zone AE
54
Zone AO
13
Zone AH
2
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.
Common Flood Zones in Flagstaff
Properties in Flagstaff, AZ are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:
What Your Flood Zone Means in Flagstaff
Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $85.7M.
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 Flagstaff address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Flagstaff
Flagstaff 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 5
SFHA Premium Discount
25% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Flagstaff's Class 5 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Check Your Flagstaff Address
Enter any Flagstaff, AZ address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.
Free Flood Zone LookupFlagstaff, AZ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Flagstaff, AZ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Flagstaff are Zone AE, Zone A, 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 Flagstaff?
If your Flagstaff 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 about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Flagstaff?
Enter your Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Flagstaff participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 5 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Flagstaff experienced major flooding events?
Coconino County, where Flagstaff is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Flagstaff?
Coconino County has recorded 294 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $5.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1993, with 41 claims and $445K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Flagstaff.
Sources
This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard LayerDirect Source
The NFHL is the source of all flood zone data shown on this page.
- FEMA Map Service Center — Search by AddressDirect Source
Look up any address to view FIRM panels, FIS reports, and LOMCs.
- NFHL Data and Map StatusTopic Page
View NFHL coverage and data freshness by state and community.
- FEMA National Risk Index — Data ResourcesDirect Source
County-level risk scores for inland flooding, coastal flooding, and hurricane used in the Flood Risk Profile.
- OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API v2Direct Source
Federal disaster declarations filtered for flood-related incident types (Flood, Hurricane, Severe Storm, Coastal Storm).
- OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Claims API v2Direct Source
Historical NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, aggregated by county and state. Includes claim counts, payouts, and flood zone breakdowns.
Sources last verified: February 2026