Photo: Richard N Horne · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Payson than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Payson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #72 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then wildfire (40%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Payson 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 Payson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Payson, and Payson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 40%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #72 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Payson’s residents live in 4 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, Payson has more expected damage per building than 51% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.8M a year in losses across Payson: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Payson flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Payson, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Payson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gila County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Payson
Disasters that paid out in Payson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Payson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Payson for repairs
Gila County has 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Gila County, 1999–2021.
Old photos of Payson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Payson archive →Payson and its neighbors
Payson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payson | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Star Valley | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Payson 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 Payson
Is Payson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Payson has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #72 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and wildfire (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Payson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Payson since 1993, $7K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Payson 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 Gila County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Payson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Payson’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 Payson?
By FEMA money that reached Payson, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2010): $3K to the Town of Payson for repairs.
Is Payson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Payson’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Payson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Payson’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.