Photo: DPPed · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Phoenix than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Phoenix gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #41 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 863 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 Phoenix’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Phoenix 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 Phoenix’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Phoenix, and Phoenix’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #41 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Phoenix’s residents live in 384 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, Phoenix has less expected damage per building than 71% of Arizona towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Phoenix has higher expected damage per building than 53% (#212 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $716M, is the 7th largest of those 400.
Does Phoenix flood? Yes: 863 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Phoenix, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Phoenix is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Maricopa County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Phoenix
Disasters that paid out in Phoenix itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Phoenix), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$1.0M to the City of Phoenix for repairs78 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$259K to the City of Phoenix for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$207K to the City of Phoenix for repairs1 flood claim 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 Phoenix after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Phoenix archive →Phoenix and its neighbors
Phoenix is 3rd of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolleson | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Cave Creek | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Phoenix | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 863 |
| Paradise Valley | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Glendale | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Scottsdale | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| New River | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Peoria | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Tempe | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Avondale | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Maricopa Colony | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Phoenix 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.
- Phoenix residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Phoenix
Is Phoenix at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Phoenix has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #41 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Phoenix flood?
Flood insurance has paid 863 claims in Phoenix since 1978, $9.4M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 57 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Phoenix?
By FEMA money that reached Phoenix, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $1.0M to the City of Phoenix for repairs.
Is Phoenix at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Phoenix’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Phoenix.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Phoenix’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.