Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Dewey-Humboldt faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dewey-Humboldt gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #128 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (63%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2019.
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 Dewey-Humboldt’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dewey-Humboldt faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Dewey-Humboldt’s grade
Wildfire is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dewey-Humboldt, and Dewey-Humboldt’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #128 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dewey-Humboldt’s residents live in 6 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, Dewey-Humboldt has more expected damage per building than 91% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Dewey-Humboldt: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dewey-Humboldt flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dewey-Humboldt, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dewey-Humboldt is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Yavapai County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Dewey-Humboldt
Disasters that paid out in Dewey-Humboldt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dewey-Humboldt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Dewey-Humboldt for repairs
Yavapai County has had 10 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 13 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yavapai County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Dewey-Humboldt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dewey-Humboldt archive →Dewey-Humboldt and its neighbors
Dewey-Humboldt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Dewey-Humboldt | D−more damage than 95% | wildfire | 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 Dewey-Humboldt faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dewey-Humboldt residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dewey-Humboldt
Is Dewey-Humboldt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dewey-Humboldt has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #128 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (63%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dewey-Humboldt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Dewey-Humboldt since 2019, $259K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dewey-Humboldt 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 Yavapai County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dewey-Humboldt?
Dewey-Humboldt is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Dewey-Humboldt?
By FEMA money that reached Dewey-Humboldt, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2010): $16K to the Town of Dewey-Humboldt for repairs.
Is Dewey-Humboldt at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Dewey-Humboldt’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dewey-Humboldt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dewey-Humboldt’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.