PlainHazard

Arizona natural disasters

The state's storm and disaster record · population 7,144,933 · 15 counties and county equivalents

NOAA's Storm Events Database records 17,893 storm events in Arizona since 1950, 16,702 of them since 1996 when every event type began to be recorded, and the Storm Prediction Center counts 303 tornadoes in the state since 1950. The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events (4,106). In NOAA's storm record since 1950, the deadliest event in Arizona is the July 11, 2023 excessive heat: 240 deaths across 8 records. FEMA has made 120 declarations for Arizona since 1966, 117 for natural hazards; 37 were major disasters.

The record, 1950 to 2026

Storm events recorded in Arizona each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).

  • recorded, no damage figure
  • under $1 million
  • $1 million or more
  • $10 million or more
  • $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
  • $1 billion or more, or 100 deaths
  • a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
  • a year with a death
  • 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
  • 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
Storm events recorded
17,8931950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
3,1241,506 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$6.5Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes (SPC)
3031950 to 2025
FEMA declarations
12037 major disasters

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); tornado count: NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 1950-2025; damage in 2025 dollars (BLS CPI-U). Search the record at NCEI.

What natural disasters happen in Arizona?

By NOAA's records, Arizona's most frequent hazards are severe thunderstorm wind events (4,106), floods and flash floods (3,896), heat records (2,676); the deadliest are heat records (2,815 deaths). Each hazard is counted over the years NOAA has recorded it everywhere: tornadoes since 1950, hail and thunderstorm wind since 1955, everything else since 1996. Open a hazard for its years, months, counties and worst events.

Arizona: records by hazard to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsLast 10 yearsKilledInjuredDamageCounties
Severe thunderstorm wind 4,1061,439 14231$888M 15 of 15
Floods 3,8962,072 127180$368M 15 of 15
Heat 2,6762,555 2,815143$32K 15 of 15
High wind and dust storms 1,882884 36301$28M 15 of 15
Hail 1,321324 323$3.8B 15 of 15
Winter storms 1,318445 44253$3.8M 15 of 15
Heavy rain 702140 736$4.9M 14 of 15
Drought 633385 00– 7 of 15
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 33198 210$62K 15 of 15
Wildfires 315172 2058$459M 13 of 15
Tornadoes 30659 3152$282M 14 of 15
Lightning 25558 24114$11M 14 of 15
Extreme cold 11042 295$218M 15 of 15
Landslides and avalanches 4125 00$196K 12 of 15
Hurricanes and tropical storms 10 00$368M 1 of 15

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: every record counted once in the state; "last 10 years" is 2017-2026 (2026 to June 30, 2026).

What were the deadliest disasters in Arizona?

The storms with the most deaths since 1950, from the National Weather Service's own entries. NOAA files one storm as several records when it crosses forecast zones and counties or changes type, and groups them under one episode; each row here is an episode, with its totals and the narrative of its deadliest record. Before 1996 tornado records carry no episode and stand alone. The narrative says what happened: some deaths the National Weather Service files under a weather type had another cause beside the weather.

Arizona: the 10 storm episodes with the most deaths
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2023-07-11 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 8 records in 2 places; the totals are the episode's. A very strong ridge of high pressure strengthened over the Desert Southwest during the middle part of the month, resulting in well above normal temperatures and excessive heat conditions. Afternoon high temperatures in Phoenix during this time period ranged between 111-119 degrees, tying or breaking daily record highs ... 240 0 –
2023-07-23 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 7 records in 3 places, 2023-07-23 to 2023-07-25; the totals are the episode's. A persistent strong ridge of high pressure over the region led to well above normal temperatures for the end of July. Afternoon highs during this time exceeded 110 degrees each day in Phoenix with the 25th recording a high of 119 degrees. Record high temperatures were set on the 24-26th and the 29th. According to the ... 114 0 –
2022-07-21 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 15 records, 2022-07-21 to 2022-07-23; the totals are the episode's. An anomalously strong ridge of high pressure over the Desert Southwest persisted into the latter part of July, leading to temperatures in excess of 110 degrees in Phoenix most days during this time. Temperatures during this time period peaked on the 22nd with Phoenix Sky Harbor recording a high of 114 degrees. ... 81 0 –
2023-07-14 Excessive HeatPima County · forecast zone Tucson Metro Area One storm episode: 8 records in 7 places, 2023-07-14 to 2023-07-18; the totals are the episode's. Persistent strong high pressure aloft created an extended period of very hot temperatures July 14-30 across southeast Arizona. High temperatures were 5 to 14 degrees above normal causing the Major Heat Risk category to be reached and numerous high temperatures to be established. Several dozen heat-related fatalities ... 66 0 –
2022-07-14 HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 12 records, 2022-07-14 to 2022-07-18; the totals are the episode's. A strong upper level ridge situated over the Desert Southwest led to well above normal temperatures along with excessive heat conditions at times. Temperatures during this time at Phoenix Sky Harbor peaked on the 16th at 114 degrees. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 64 heat-associated ... 64 0 –
2021-06-12 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 7 records; the totals are the episode's. A strong upper level ridge strengthened over the Desert Southwest during the middle part of June with the center of high pressure becoming focused over the Four Corners region. As a result, temperatures warmed up well above normal reaching excessive heat conditions. High temperatures climbed at or above 115 degrees ... 56 0 –
2022-07-10 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 16 records, 2022-07-10 to 2022-07-13; the totals are the episode's. A strong ridge of high pressure became situated over the Four Corners region, leading to dangerous temperatures as well as excessive heat conditions at times across the Phoenix area. Afternoon highs in Phoenix climbed well above normal during this time with temperatures peaking on the 11th at 115 degrees. Overnight ... 53 0 –
2023-08-04 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 16 records in 2 places, 2023-08-04 to 2023-08-05; the totals are the episode's. A strong ridge of high pressure over the Southern Plains expanded westward into the Desert Southwest, leading to excessive heat conditions across the region. Record high temperatures were set on the 5th (116 degrees) and the 6th (114 degrees) in Phoenix, while record warm low temperatures were set on the 2nd (93 ... 52 0 –
2021-07-09 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 14 records; the totals are the episode's. Strong high pressure encompassing the Desert Southwest led to above normal temperatures, with excessive heat conditions occurring across the Phoenix area between the 9th and 11th. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, temperatures climbed above 110 degrees for six consecutive days between the 6th and 11th, with the warmest highs ... 49 0 –
2020-07-10 Excessive HeatMaricopa County · forecast zone Central Phoenix One storm episode: 3 records, 2020-07-10 to 2020-07-14; the totals are the episode's. A very strong area of high pressure strengthened over the southwest United States, leading to excessive heat conditions across the region. Temperatures in Phoenix exceeded 110 degrees each day with afternoon highs reaching or exceeding 115 degrees on the 11th and the 12th. According to the Maricopa County Department ... 47 0 –

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths direct and indirect, as filed in this state, summed over the records of each episode (EPISODE_ID); a forecast-zone record counts the zone's deaths once. A tornado's whole-track deaths (SPC), on the state's tornado page, can be higher when the track crossed a state line. Storm names from the titles of FEMA declarations that name the storm's counties.

The costliest records in Arizona

Arizona: the 8 records with the most damage since 1993, 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2010-10-05 HailWest Chandler, Maricopa County 3.00 in hail 0 1 $2.4B
2010-10-05 HailCashion, Maricopa County 1.50 in hail 0 0 $1.2B
1997-09-25 Tropical StormLa Paz County · forecast zone Lower Colorado River Valley 0 0 $368M
2006-07-25 Thunderstorm WindCentral Portion, Maricopa County 80 kt wind 0 1 $220M
1996-08-14 Thunderstorm WindPhoenix, Maricopa County 0 0 $188M
2010-10-05 HailScottsdale, Maricopa County 2.50 in hail 0 0 $149M
2013-01-12 Frost/FreezeMaricopa County · forecast zone Greater Phoenix Area 0 0 $133M
2003-06-17 WildfireSummerhaven, Pima County 0 0 $106M

Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 21, 1972 (tornado, Maricopa County).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: property and crop damage as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. BLS consumer price index.

Which counties in Arizona have the most records?

  1. Maricopa County 4,461
  2. Pima County 2,809
  3. Coconino County 1,792
  4. Pinal County 1,633
  5. Mohave County 1,526
  6. Cochise County 1,250
  7. Yavapai County 1,160
  8. Navajo County 1,057
  9. Apache County 810
  10. Gila County 780
  11. Graham County 597
  12. Yuma County 573

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950 attributed to each county (forecast-zone records count on every county the zone covers).

Every county in Arizona

Billion-dollar disasters in Arizona

NOAA counted 34 weather or climate disasters from 1980-2024 that cost at least $1 billion (adjusted for inflation) and affected Arizona, led by drought (16). The most recent: Southern/Eastern/Northwestern Drought and Heat Wave (2024); Southern/Midwestern Drought and Heatwave (2023); Western Wildfires (2022).

Arizona: billion-dollar disasters by type, 1980-2024
TypeEventsTotal cost (NOAA's range)
Drought16$1.0B-$2.0B
Wildfire14$1.0B-$2.0B
Flooding3$1.0B-$2.0B
Severe Storm1$5.0B-$10.0B
Every one of the 34, newest first
  • Southern/Eastern/Northwestern Drought and Heat Wave2024
  • Southern/Midwestern Drought and Heatwave2023
  • Western Wildfires2022
  • Western/Central Drought and Heat Wave2022
  • Western Wildfires2021
  • California Flooding and Severe Weather2021
  • Western Drought and Heat Wave2021
  • Western Wildfires - California, Oregon, Washington Firestorms2020
  • Western/Central Drought and Heat Wave2020
  • Southwest/Southern Plains Drought2018
  • Western Wildfires, California Firestorm2017
  • Western/Southeast Wildfires2016
  • Western Drought2015
  • Western Drought2014
  • Western/Plains Drought/Heat Wave2013
  • Western Wildfires2012
  • U.S. Drought/Heat Wave2012
  • Texas, New Mexico, Arizona Wildfires2011
  • Southern Plains/Southwest Drought and Heat Wave2011
  • Arizona Severe Weather2010
  • Western Wildfires2009
  • U.S. Wildfires2008
  • Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave2007
  • Western Wildfires2007
  • Midwest/Plains/Southeast Drought2006
  • Numerous Wildfires2006
  • California Wildfires2003
  • Western/Central Drought/Heat Wave2003
  • Western Fire Season2002
  • U.S. Drought2002
  • Western/Central/Southeast Drought/Heat Wave2000
  • Western Fire Season1994
  • Arizona Flooding1983
  • Western Storms and Flooding1982

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters, state summary for Arizona, 1980-2024 (NCEI's last update; the product is archived). A disaster that affected several states counts in each. NCEI billion-dollar disasters.

Federal disaster declarations in Arizona

FEMA has made 120 declarations for Arizona since 1966: 37 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 79 fire management assistance declarations. The most common incident types are fire (82), flood (17), severe storm (15).

  1. Fire 82
  2. Flood 17
  3. Severe Storm 15
  4. Biological 3
  5. Freezing 1
  6. Hurricane 1
  7. Drought 1
  1. 1960s 1
  2. 1970s 7
  3. 1980s 4
  4. 1990s 19
  5. 2000s 31
  6. 2010s 27
  7. 2020s 31
The 15 most recent declarations in Arizona
DeclaredNumberTypeTitleAreas named
2026-05-29DR-4911Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding1
2025-05-22FM-5585FireCody Fire1
2025-05-14FM-5584FireGreer Fire1
2024-10-25DR-4840FloodFlooding1
2024-10-04DR-4833FireWatch Fire1
2024-07-13FM-5508FireWatch Fire1
2024-07-09FM-5505FireShake Fire1
2024-06-28FM-5501FireBoulder View Fire1
2024-06-12FM-5496FireRose Fire1
2024-05-29FM-5493FireSimmons Fire1
2023-06-28FM-5466FireDiamond Fire1
2023-04-11DR-4703Severe StormSevere Winter Storms and Flooding1
2022-12-30DR-4681FloodFlooding1
2022-09-02DR-4668Severe StormSevere Storms1
2022-06-12FM-5441FirePipeline Fire1

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), through October 2, 2026. OpenFEMA dataset page.

Flood insurance claims in Arizona

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $61.9 million on 5,263 claims in 15 Arizona counties. Claims count insured losses only.

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026. OpenFEMA dataset page.

FEMA's modeled risk across Arizona's counties

How FEMA's National Risk Index rates Arizona's counties overall: a model of expected future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of events.

  1. Very High 1
  2. Relatively High 2
  3. Relatively Moderate 9
  4. Relatively Low 2
  5. Very Low 1

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

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