Scottsdale, Arizona Flood Zones
Scottsdale is vulnerable to flash flooding from mountain runoff and desert washes, particularly the Indian Bend Wash. The city has invested in the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt to manage floodwaters through the urban corridor.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Maricopa 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
Very HighEst. annual loss: $1.1B
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $12K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Maricopa County
Maricopa County has been included in 10 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 1966.
These declarations affected communities across Maricopa County, including Scottsdale.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Maricopa County
Properties in Maricopa County have filed 2,630 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $26.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $10K.
Highest-Claim Years
1978
317 claims - $2.1M
1980
266 claims - $2.1M
2014
247 claims - $7.5M
Claims by Flood Zone
Zone X
961
Zone A
753
Zone AE
209
Zone AO
118
Zone AOB
65
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.
Common Flood Zones in Scottsdale
Properties in Scottsdale, AZ are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:
What Your Flood Zone Means in Scottsdale
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $1.1B. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Scottsdale
Scottsdale 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). Scottsdale'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 Scottsdale Address
Enter any Scottsdale, AZ address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.
Free Flood Zone LookupScottsdale, AZ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Scottsdale, AZ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale?
If your Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale?
Enter your Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale experienced major flooding events?
Maricopa County, where Scottsdale is located, has been part of 10 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2014. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Scottsdale?
Maricopa County has recorded 2,630 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $26.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1978, with 317 claims and $2.1M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Scottsdale.
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