Photo: Ron Reiring · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clifton than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #110 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then wildfire (18%). Flood insurance has paid 96 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Clifton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clifton 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
Wildfire
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 Clifton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton, and Clifton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #110 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clifton’s residents live in 2 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, Clifton has more expected damage per building than 78% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Clifton: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton flood? Sometimes: 96 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton, from FEMA’s records: 61.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clifton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenlee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clifton
Disasters that paid out in Clifton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clifton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$556K to the Town of Clifton for repairs
Greenlee County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Greenlee County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Clifton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton archive →Clifton and its neighbors
Clifton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morenci | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clifton | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
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 Clifton 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Clifton
Is Clifton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #110 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and wildfire (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clifton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 96 claims in Clifton since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 61.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Clifton 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 Greenlee County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clifton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton’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 Clifton?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $556K to the Town of Clifton for repairs.
Is Clifton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Clifton’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton’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.