States › Arizona › Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 2,751 events for Maricopa County, Arizona, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 29.9 events per 100 square miles, above the Arizona figure of 15.7, and 6.1 per 10,000 residents against 24.6 statewide.
162 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 26 deaths and 194 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $3.4B and crop damage at $2.1M.
FEMA has designated the county in 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Boulder View Fire (fire management assistance, 28 Jun 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 2,633 claims since 1978, of which 1,741 were paid, totalling $26M (about $15K per paid claim). FEMA counts 8,889 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Very High" and its expected annual loss as "Very High" ($2.2B a year across 18 hazards).
Compared with Arizona and the United States
| Measure | Maricopa County | Arizona | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 2,751 | 17,892 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 29.9 | 15.7 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 6.1 | 24.6 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 162 | 793 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 26 | 3,147 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $3.4B | $4.3B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 0.6 | 0.7 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $15K | $18K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 2.4 | 3.7 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 1,923 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 606 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Mar 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 3 | — | County |
| 22 Aug 2020 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $10K | — | 2 | 3 | County |
| 14 Aug 2021 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $25M | — | 2 | — | County |
| 9 Aug 2005 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $300K | — | 2 | — | County |
| 18 Aug 2021 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $20K | — | 2 | — | County |
| 1 Apr 2023 | Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 2 | — | County |
| 5 Oct 2010 | Hail | Hail | 3.00 in | $1.8B | — | — | 1 | County |
| 10 Jul 1988 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 1 | 6 | County |
| 15 Dec 1998 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | County |
| 4 Sep 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 70 mph | $75K | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 27 Jul 1999 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 14 Jul 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 92 mph | $5.0M | — | 1 | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 75 mph | $2.0M | — | 1 | — | County |
| 26 Sep 2025 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $200K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 12 Oct 2025 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $50K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 13 Aug 2003 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 14 Jul 2012 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 8 Mar 2013 | Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 4 Mar 2023 | Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 22 Aug 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 40 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jun 2024 | FM-5501 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Boulder View Fire | Public assistance |
| 12 Jun 2024 | FM-5496 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Rose Fire | Public assistance |
| 28 Jun 2023 | FM-5466 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Diamond Fire | Public assistance |
| 27 Jun 2020 | FM-5315 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Avondale Fire | Public assistance |
| 23 Jun 2020 | FM-5314 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Aquila Fire | Public assistance |
| 20 Jun 2020 | FM-5313 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Bush Fire | Public assistance |
| 30 May 2020 | FM-5311 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Ocotillo Fire | Public assistance |
| 18 May 2020 | FM-5310 | Fire management assistance | Fire | East Desert Fire | Public assistance |
| 4 Apr 2020 | DR-4524 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3442 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 5 Nov 2014 | DR-4203 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 12 Sep 2005 | EM-3241 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 22 Jul 2005 | FM-2570 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Az-Wildfire (Edge Complex) 07-22-2005 | Public assistance |
| 22 Jun 2005 | FM-2561 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Cave Creek Fire Complex | Public assistance |
| 8 Jun 2005 | FM-2559 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Az-Bobby Fire-06-08-2005 | Public assistance |
| 14 Apr 2005 | DR-1586 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | — |
| 27 Oct 2000 | DR-1347 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 15 Oct 1999 | DR-1304 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, High Winds | Individual assistance |
| 19 Jan 1993 | DR-977 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Dec 1990 | DR-884 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 6 Dec 1990 | DR-884 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 19 Feb 1980 | DR-614 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 21 Dec 1978 | DR-570 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 4 Mar 1978 | DR-551 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Jul 1972 | DR-343 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 22 Sep 1970 | DR-294 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flash | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 30 Apr 1966 | DR-217 | Major disaster | Flood | Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2025 | 24 | 13 | $912,360 | $70,182 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 2 | $32,085 | $16,042 |
| 2022 | 38 | 24 | $968,763 | $40,365 |
| 2021 | 52 | 34 | $1,317,037 | $38,736 |
| 2020 | 4 | 1 | $13,696 | $13,696 |
| 2019 | 17 | 6 | $240,715 | $40,119 |
| 2018 | 53 | 31 | $1,245,100 | $40,165 |
| 2017 | 12 | 7 | $89,828 | $12,833 |
| 2016 | 67 | 47 | $1,045,245 | $22,239 |
| 2015 | 22 | 13 | $267,786 | $20,599 |
| 2014 | 247 | 164 | $7,471,888 | $45,560 |
| 2013 | 22 | 13 | $661,016 | $50,847 |
| 2012 | 11 | 5 | $127,513 | $25,503 |
| 2011 | 6 | 2 | $4,002 | $2,001 |
| 2010 | 37 | 17 | $231,048 | $13,591 |
| 2009 | 6 | 1 | $4,592 | $4,592 |
| 2008 | 32 | 17 | $386,269 | $22,722 |
| 2007 | 57 | 25 | $738,692 | $29,548 |
| 2006 | 30 | 24 | $379,234 | $15,801 |
| 2005 | 38 | 27 | $581,148 | $21,524 |
| 2004 | 19 | 14 | $136,359 | $9,740 |
| 2003 | 25 | 10 | $41,856 | $4,186 |
| 2002 | 40 | 23 | $202,689 | $8,813 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $1,119,501,534 | |
| Heat wave | $957,986,784 | |
| Wildfire | $42,188,453 | |
| Earthquake | $30,724,390 | |
| Hail | $24,173,608 | |
| Strong wind | $8,806,660 | |
| Tornado | $5,367,715 | |
| Drought | $4,593,446 | |
| Lightning | $2,132,272 | |
| Winter weather | $47,011 | |
| Landslide | $28,124 | |
| Hurricane | $11,770 | |
| Avalanche | $144 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
No HURDAT2 track at tropical-storm strength passes within 100 miles of the county's centre point (through the 2025 season).
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 85353 241
- 85021 151
- 85018 120
- 85253 106
- 85013 102
- 85255 102
- 85326 101
- 85014 98
- 85015 97
- 85251 91
- 85008 72
- 85031 64
- 85020 61
- 85331 61
- 85016 56
- 85012 47
- 85390 43
- 85250 42
- 85017 41
- 85023 41
- 85009 37
- 85258 37
- 85007 34
- 85339 33
- 85033 31
- 85087 24
- 85260 23
- 85281 23
- 85086 21
- 85201 21
- 85019 20
- 85022 20
- 85301 20
- 85345 19
- 85041 18
- 85254 17
- 85266 17
- 85032 16
- 85304 16
- 85306 16
- 85034 15
- 85203 15
- 85257 15
- 85029 14
- 85142 13
- 85051 12
- 85302 12
- 85323 12
- 85206 11
- 85308 11
- 85337 11
- 85003 10
- 85358 10
- 85040 9
- 85042 9
- 85044 9
- 85028 8
- 85259 8
- 85283 8
- 85329 8
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Maricopa County, AZ?
NCEI records 227 hail events in Maricopa County since 1950, in 49 different years; that is about 2.9 recorded events a year. 18 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Maricopa County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 73 tornadoes in Maricopa County since 1950, 7 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Maricopa County?
28 Jun 2024: Boulder View Fire, a fire management assistance declaration for fire. The county appears in 27 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Maricopa County, and how much was paid?
2,633 NFIP claims since 1978, 1,741 of them paid, for $26M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Maricopa County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Very High" for overall risk, "Very High" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Very Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Maricopa County compare with the rest of Arizona?
29.9 recorded events per 100 square miles against 15.7 statewide, and 0.6 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 0.7. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.