Tucson, AZ Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Tucson is highly vulnerable to monsoon flash flooding with numerous washes crossing the metropolitan area. The Rillito River, Santa Cruz River, and Pantano Wash can transform from dry beds to raging torrents within minutes.
Pima County has recorded 581 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $7.9M 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
3,353
Pima County
Avg. Premium
$964/yr
Pima County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Pima 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: $347.4M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $5K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Pima County
Pima County has been included in 9 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1966.
These declarations affected communities across Pima County, including Tucson.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Pima County
Properties in Pima County have filed 581 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.9M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $14K.
Highest-Claim Years
1983
77 claims - $933K
1993
71 claims - $455K
2006
43 claims - $1.3M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Pima County
Only roughly 1 in 123 households in Pima County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.8% of estimated households). With 564 recorded flood events and $33.1M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.8%
roughly 1 in 123 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 6
581 claims over 45+ years across 3,353 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$13,547
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Pima County has averaged 1 claim for every 6 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Tucson.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Tucson
Tucson 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 Tucson are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone A, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $347.4M. Tucson 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 Tucson address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Pima County
Pima County has 23 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
23
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 22 of 23 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Pima County
NOAA has recorded 564 flood events in Pima County since 1996, causing $33.1M in damage and 21 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Pima County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 83 properties in Pima County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Tucson
Tucson 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 6
SFHA Premium Discount
20% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Tucson's Class 6 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 20% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Tucson, AZ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Tucson, AZ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Tucson are Zone AE, Zone AO, 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 Tucson?
If your Tucson 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 Tucson?
Enter your Tucson 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 Tucson offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Tucson participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 6 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 20% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Tucson experienced major flooding events?
Pima County, where Tucson is located, has been part of 9 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 Tucson?
Pima County has recorded 581 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.9M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1983, with 77 claims and $933K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Tucson.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Tucson?
Pima County currently has 3,353 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $964. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,197 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Tucson properties have flooded repeatedly?
Pima County has 23 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 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 Tucson 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 Tucson?
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 Tucson'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.
Other Arizona Cities
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Look Up Any Tucson, AZ Address
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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.