Are you protected from floods?
What is a flood?
- A flood is an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties. For example, damage caused by a storm sewer backup is covered by insurance if the backup is a direct result of flooding. Official Definition of a flood.
Who is at risk?
- Most Properties. Flooding can happen just about anywhere it rains or snows. Nearly one-third of NFIP flood insurance claims occur outside high flood risk areas.
Where are the highest risks in Alamosa?
- The properties with the highest risk are those nearest the right-bank levee, as well as properties in the AE flood hazard area. These properties are located around the Cattails Golf Course on Cottonwood Drive, Country Club Circle, and Cottonwood Circle.
City of Alamosa Flood Risk Maps
- Alamosa Flood Zone Map
- If you need help identifying your zone, interpreting your map, or understanding flood risks, please contact the Alamosa Building Department at 719-589-6631.
What is a Flood Elevation Certificate?
- An elevation certificate shows how high a building is compared to how high local flood waters are expected to get. It includes information like your home’s location, characteristics, and its First Floor Height. First Floor Height is the height of the first (lowest) floor above the ground.
- Elevation Certification Map
Flood Insurance – Information for Property Owners and Renters
- Flood insurance covers losses directly caused by flooding. Flood insurance is specific to flooding since most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
- Flood insurance is required by law for any primary building with federally backed funding (e.g., mortgage or business loan) in a flood map zone with an A designation — A, AE, AH, AO, AR, and A99. In Zone X and Zone D, flood insurance is optional
- Talk to an insurance agent who has experience with flood policies, and check out the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) website at FloodSmart.gov. For other flood insurance questions, call the FEMA Flood Insurance Hotline at 1-877-336-2627.
- Property owners can insure buildings only or buildings and contents. Renters can insure just their contents, even if the owner does not insure the structure.
How to Prepare For Floods
- Some steps to take include;
- Know your flood risk, Store important documents, Elevate and anchor utilities, Waterproof basements.
- For more information on how to prepare go to floodsmart.gov/first-prepare-flooding
Rio Grande Gauges
- The Colorado Division of Water Resources hosts real-time information on stream flows.
Alamosa Flood History
- In 2024 higher rainfalls caused storm drain backups and many places around the city experienced minor flooding. Most properties in the City of Alamosa are prone to street flooding.
- Our last official flood occurred in 2019.
Image by Valley Courier 700 Block of Main St Flooded 2019
- A historic flood of note occurred in 1927, when the river was flowing at 14,000 cubic feet per second.
Image from the Denver Public Library Digital Collection Rio Grande in Alamosa County 1927