Photo: Rgper22008 · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, South Tucson faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Tucson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #20 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 South Tucson 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 South Tucson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Tucson, and South Tucson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
B #20 of 140 in Arizona; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Tucson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Arizona town has higher expected damage than 78% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Tucson has less expected damage per building than 86% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across South Tucson: $843K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Tucson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Tucson, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Tucson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pima County.The storms South Tucson remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Pima County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Tucson itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20161 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Pima 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pima County, 2003–2020.
Old photos of South Tucson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Tucson archive →Get ready for what South Tucson 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 South Tucson
Is South Tucson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Tucson has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #20 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Tucson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Tucson since 2016, $13K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Tucson 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 Pima County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Tucson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Tucson’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Tucson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and South Tucson’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Tucson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Tucson’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.