Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Maricopa than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maricopa gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #92 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Maricopa 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 Maricopa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maricopa, and Maricopa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #92 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maricopa’s residents live in 12 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, Maricopa has more expected damage per building than 65% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Maricopa: $18.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maricopa flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maricopa, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Maricopa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pinal County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Maricopa
Disasters that paid out in Maricopa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Maricopa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the City of Maricopa for repairs
Pinal County has had 10 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 10 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pinal County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Maricopa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maricopa archive →Maricopa and its neighbors
Maricopa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Maricopa | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ak-Chin Village | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Maricopa 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 Maricopa
Is Maricopa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maricopa has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #92 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maricopa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Maricopa since 2014, $3K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Maricopa 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 Pinal County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maricopa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maricopa’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 Maricopa?
By FEMA money that reached Maricopa, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $38K to the City of Maricopa for repairs.
Is Maricopa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Maricopa’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maricopa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maricopa’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.