Photo: John Diebolt · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Tucson faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #90 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 120 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 Tucson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What 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 Tucson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tucson, and Tucson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #90 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tucson’s residents live in 159 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, Tucson has more expected damage per building than 64% of Arizona towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Tucson has higher expected damage per building than 77% (#310 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $236M, is the 32th largest of those 400.
Does Tucson flood? Yes: 120 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in 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.
Tucson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pima County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tucson
Disasters that paid out in Tucson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tucson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the City of Tucson for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$770K to the City of Tucson for repairs3 flood claims paid 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 Tucson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tucson archive →Tucson and its neighbors
Tucson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Mountains | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Drexel Heights | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Tucson | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Summit | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Casas Adobes | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Vail | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Catalina Foothills | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Rincon Valley | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tanque Verde | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Flowing Wells | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kleindale | — | 52 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 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.
- Tucson residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tucson
Is Tucson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucson has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #90 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tucson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 120 claims in Tucson since 1978, $2.6M in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once.
Is 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 Tucson?
Tucson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Tucson?
By FEMA money that reached Tucson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $1.1M to the City of Tucson for repairs.
Is Tucson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Tucson’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tucson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.