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Every federal disaster in Mesa since 1966

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Maricopa County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations
38since 1966
Major disasters
25the most serious kind
Since 2000
29declarations
Most recent
2026Severe Storms and Flooding
196019661970197019721978197819801980199019901993199920002000200520052005200520052010201020132014201820182019202020202020202020202020202020202021202220222023202320242024202420242026
Floods (12)Fires (12)Severe storms and tornadoes (9)Biological (COVID-19) (3)Hurricanes and tropical storms (1)Winter storms (1)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Maricopa County's overall natural hazard risk very high, led by inland flooding, heat wave and hail. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

DeclaredEventTypeFEMA number
May 29, 2026Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4911
Oct 25, 2024FloodingMajor disasterDR-4840
Oct 4, 2024Watch FireMajor disasterDR-4833
Jun 28, 2024Boulder View FireFire managementFM-5501
Jun 12, 2024Rose FireFire managementFM-5496
Jun 28, 2023Diamond FireFire managementFM-5466
Apr 11, 2023Severe Winter Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4703
Dec 30, 2022FloodingMajor disasterDR-4681
Sep 2, 2022Severe StormsMajor disasterDR-4668
Feb 2, 2021COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4582
Jun 27, 2020Avondale FireFire managementFM-5315
Jun 23, 2020Aquila FireFire managementFM-5314
Jun 20, 2020Bush FireFire managementFM-5313
May 30, 2020Ocotillo FireFire managementFM-5311
May 18, 2020East Desert FireFire managementFM-5310
Apr 4, 2020COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4524
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3442
May 21, 2019Snowstorm and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4436
Nov 30, 2018Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4409
Aug 31, 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, and LandslidesMajor disasterDR-4389
Nov 5, 2014Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4203
Mar 5, 2013Severe FreezeMajor disasterDR-4104
Dec 21, 2010Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1950
Sep 12, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3241
Jul 22, 2005Az-Wildfire (Edge Complex) 07-22-2005Fire managementFM-2570
Jun 22, 2005Cave Creek Fire ComplexFire managementFM-2561
Jun 8, 2005Az-Bobby Fire-06-08-2005Fire managementFM-2559
Apr 14, 2005Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1586
Oct 27, 2000Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1347
Oct 15, 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, High WindsMajor disasterDR-1304
Jan 19, 1993Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disasterDR-977
Dec 6, 1990Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-884
Feb 19, 1980Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-614
Dec 21, 1978Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-570
Mar 4, 1978Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-551
Jul 3, 1972Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-343
Sep 22, 1970Heavy Rains & FlashMajor disasterDR-294
Apr 30, 1966FloodingMajor disasterDR-217

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has Mesa had?

Since 1966, the federal government has issued 38 disaster or emergency declarations covering Maricopa County, including 25 major disaster declarations. 29 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in Mesa?

Severe Storms and Flooding (Major disaster, declared May 29, 2026).

What kinds of disasters hit Mesa most often?

By FEMA incident type: flood (12), fire (12), severe storm (9) and biological (3).

New to Mesa? The moving checklist covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Maricopa County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.