Louise Lincoln Kerr House and Studio · Photo: Tony the Marine · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Paradise Valley’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paradise Valley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #43 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paradise Valley, and Paradise Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #43 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paradise Valley’s residents live in 5 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, Paradise Valley has less expected damage per building than 70% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Paradise Valley: $10.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paradise Valley flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paradise Valley, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Paradise Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Maricopa County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Paradise Valley
Disasters that paid out in Paradise Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Paradise Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$189K to the Town of Paradise Valley for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 12 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2005–2024.
Old photos of Paradise Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paradise Valley archive →Paradise Valley and its neighbors
Paradise Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 863 |
| Paradise Valley | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Scottsdale | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
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 Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley
Is Paradise Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paradise Valley has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #43 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paradise Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Paradise Valley since 1978, $3.3M in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Paradise Valley 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 Maricopa County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paradise Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paradise Valley’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 Paradise Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Paradise Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $189K to the Town of Paradise Valley for repairs.
Is Paradise Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Paradise Valley’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paradise Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paradise Valley’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.