Arizona Water Damage and Flooding Statistics

Arizona is one of the driest states in the U.S., but flooding is the most common natural disaster in the state.  Between 40 and 100 floods occur each year in Arizona and because of the terrain and conditions in the desert, these areas are prone to flooding, including flash flooding.  Flooding is most likely to occur during monsoon season in which sudden rainstorms drop a considerable amount of rain in a short period.

Flash Flooding in the Desert

More than half of the population of Arizona lives in the Phoenix metro area which is prone to flash floods.  In fact, the number of flash flood incidents has doubled since the early 2000s according to the National Weather Service and there has been a 30% increase in water damage insurance claims in just the last five years according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.  The average cost per water damage claim has also risen from $5000 in 2010 to more than $10,000.

Why is Flash Flooding More Likely in the Desert?

The hot desert sun bakes the terrain, and the hard packed soil does not absorb water fast enough, increasing the risk of flash flooding.  The desert is drained by natural waterways like arroyos and washes, or streets and storm drains, but it does not take much rain to overwhelm these systems of drainage.  Only a few inches of rain can cause dangerous flash flooding in the Phoenix area.

The following are the main causes of flash flooding in the Pheonix, Arizona area:

• Monsoon season: Monsoons are storms that bring heavy rain in a short period of time that overwhelm drainage systems and cause flash floods.
• Urbanization: The expansion of Phoenix and the surrounding areas has led to the building of more concrete and asphalt surfaces that make it more difficult for the ground to absorb water.
• Aging infrastructure: Aging buildings and drainage systems may not be able to handle significant rainfall which makes water damage more likely to occur.
• Climate change: Climate change is causing higher temperatures and more intense storms which increases the risk of flash floods and water damage.

Flooding is one of the most damaging and deadliest weather events, making it important to know how to protect yourself and your property from flash floods.  Residents in the Phoenix area and throughout the state of Arizona are urged to purchase flood insurance to further protect their property.  If your home is affected by flooding or water damage from leaks, sewage backups, or burst pipes, you need to call water damage restoration professionals immediately.  These professionals have the equipment to remove water from your property as well as dry and restore the affected areas.

Fire Damage Statistics in Arizona

Arizona experiences residential and structural fires throughout the state and it is also affected by wildfires.  Wildfires are especially dangerous in Arizona because the dry climate and vegetation makes them more likely to occur from things such as cigarette butts and embers from grills and fire pits.  In 2020, around 980,000 acres of land were affected by wildfires and more than 80 percent of the wildfires that occurred were caused by humans.  Wildfires have caused more than $22 billion in property damage in Arizona in the last five years.

When it comes to structural fires, Arizona has a lower death and injury rate than the national average.  Arizona experienced 0.6 deaths and 3.0 injuries per 1000 fires in 2022 and 2.9 deaths per 17.9 injuries per 1000 residential structure fires according to data from NFIRS.

The following are the death percentages for the main fire incidents in Arizona in 2022:

• Structure fires: 70% (national average: 74%)
• Residential structure fires: 70% (national average: 70%)
• Vehicles: 30% (national average: 21.6%)
• Outside: 0% (national average: 3.1%)

The following is the injury percentage for the main fire incidents in 2022:

• Structure fires: 87.3% (national average: 83.1%)
• Residential structure fires: 80% (national average: 74.6%)
• Vehicles: 3.6% (national average: 8.3%)
• Outside: 9.1% (national average: 5.7%)

The following is the injury percentage for firefighters for the main fire incidents in 2022:

• Structure fires: 59.2% (national average: 79.2%)
• Residential structure fires: 37.1% (national average: 58.8%)
• Vehicles: 14.8% (national average: 7%)
• Outside: 23.7% (national average: 12.5%)

In 2023, there were 33 home fire fatalities in Arizona and as of April 2024, there have been 10 reported home fatality fires.  There is yet to be a recorded on-duty firefighter fatality for 2024.  Fires can cause significant damage when they occur in your home and the smoke and soot that are left after a fire can continue to spread and cause damage.  It is important to call a fire damage restoration professional immediately after a fire is put out on your property to limit the damage and get your home restored.

Wildfires in Arizona

Wildfires are a consistent problem in Arizona as the dry climate and vegetation makes it easier for them to start and spread.  The cost of wildfires is high as an average of $3.9 billion was spent per year fighting wildfires between 2011 and 2021.  From 2001 to 2023, wildfires destroyed around 197,000 hectares of tree cover throughout Arizona.

The majority of wildfires in Arizona, over 80 percent, are caused by humans.  The most common causes include cigarette butts, grill and campfire embers, burning debris, driving or parking over dry vegetation, dragging trailer safety chains, and fireworks.  The climate and vegetation are so dry that it only takes one spark to ignite a wildfire.

Residents of Arizona can help prevent wildfires by taking the following steps:

• Check the weather before spending time outdoors
• Have a shovel and water source necessary
• Do not leave a fire unattended
• Make sure the equipment you use has a spark arrester
• Campfires must be put out completely before leaving them
• Act responsibly when smoking, grilling, starting fires, and driving through natural terrain

If your area is affected by wildfires, stay informed on the latest developments and be ready to evacuate if necessary.  You will need to call a fire damage restoration professional to help restore any damage caused to your home by a wildfire.

Arizona Water and Fire Restoration Services and Leads

Fire and water frequently cause significant property damage, leading to severe losses. In Arizona, specialized restoration contractors employ advanced techniques and equipment to fully restore homes and businesses affected by fire and flooding. These experts are available 24/7 to handle emergencies.

For a local water and fire disaster restoration contractor in Arizona, call (888) 915-7197.

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