Photo: Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Bullhead City faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bullhead City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #61 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1993.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Bullhead City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bullhead City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bullhead City, and Bullhead City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #61 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bullhead City’s residents live in 14 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arizona town has higher expected damage than 78% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bullhead City has less expected damage per building than 57% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.4M a year in losses across Bullhead City: $14.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bullhead City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bullhead City, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bullhead City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mohave County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bullhead City
Disasters that paid out in Bullhead City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bullhead City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$134K to the City of Bullhead City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Bullhead City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Mohave County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Mohave County, 2005–2015.
Old photos of Bullhead City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bullhead City archive →Bullhead City and its neighbors
Bullhead City is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Mohave | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bullhead City | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Laughlin | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bullhead City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bullhead City
Is Bullhead City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bullhead City has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #61 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bullhead City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bullhead City since 1993, $56K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bullhead City in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Mohave County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bullhead City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bullhead City’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bullhead City?
By FEMA money that reached Bullhead City, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2010): $134K to the City of Bullhead City for repairs.
Is Bullhead City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Bullhead City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bullhead City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bullhead City’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.