James M. Flake House · Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Snowflake than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snowflake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #6 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Snowflake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Snowflake 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
Earthquakes
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 Snowflake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Snowflake, and Snowflake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #6 of 140 in Arizona; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Snowflake’s residents live in 2 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, Snowflake has less expected damage per building than 96% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Snowflake: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Snowflake flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Snowflake, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Snowflake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Navajo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Snowflake
Disasters that paid out in Snowflake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Snowflake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$232K to the Town of Snowflake for repairs
Navajo 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Navajo County, 1999–2006.
Old photos of Snowflake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Snowflake archive →Snowflake and its neighbors
Snowflake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowflake | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Taylor | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Snowflake 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Snowflake
Is Snowflake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snowflake has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #6 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Snowflake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Snowflake since 1978, $47K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Snowflake 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 Navajo County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Snowflake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Snowflake’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 Snowflake?
By FEMA money that reached Snowflake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $232K to the Town of Snowflake for repairs.
Is Snowflake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Snowflake’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Snowflake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Snowflake’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.