Water Damage Restoration in Denver, CO
Denver by the numbers: 26 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 156 freezing nights a year, 2 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Colorado insurance help and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Denver
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Denver Flood Record
NOAA has 34 flood and flash flood reports for the 10 counties of the Denver metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 26 separate days; August had the most.
At the Denver-Stapleton gauge, May is the wettest month with 2.3 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.5 |
| February | 0 | 0.5 |
| March | 0 | 1.1 |
| April | 0 | 1.7 |
| May | 2 | 2.3 |
| June | 6 | 1.7 |
| July | 7 | 2.1 |
| August | 11 | 1.8 |
| September | 0 | 1.5 |
| October | 0 | 1 |
| November | 0 | 0.7 |
| December | 0 | 0.5 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe County | 6 | 7 |
| Denver County | 6 | 8 |
| Adams County | 5 | 5 |
| Elbert County | 5 | 5 |
| Jefferson County | 3 | 4 |
| Douglas County | 2 | 2 |
| Park County | 2 | 2 |
| Broomfield County | 1 | 1 |
| Clear Creek County | 0 | 0 |
| Gilpin County | 0 | 0 |
Freezing Nights in Denver
Denver averages 156 nights a year at or below 32°F (Denver-Stapleton station). About 62 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 96 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 10 counties of the Denver metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Denver
The 10 counties of the Denver metro area were named in 2 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- May 18, 2025: Tornado, EF2 (Adams County)The largest of the 4 tornadoes on May 18th touched down near 48th and Highway 79 and moved north-northeast over the next 10-minutes.
- July 3, 2024: Hail, 3.5 inch hail (Elbert County)The report was from mping.
- May 11, 2023: Flood (Adams County)Dozens of roads in Adams County were hit by flooding and were closed due to damage. Authorities believe the damage and impact to the county was severe. The following streets were closed due to flooding: 26th Ave.
- June 6, 2020: Thunderstorm wind, 85 mph gust (Elbert County)A combination of an upper level trough moving northwest across the state, coupled with a strong surface pressure gradient, led to numerous reports of high wind gusts across the region.
- August 21, 2019: Flash flood (Denver County)Flash flooding on streets causing vehicles to be stranded. Several vehicles were stranded at Martin Luther King Blvd and Dahlia Street. Highway 6 near Federal Blvd was flooded.
Federal disaster declarations
- August 1, 2024: Quarry FireFire, FEMA FM-5526
- August 25, 2023: Severe Storms, Flooding, And TornadoesFlood, FEMA DR-4731
Denver Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Denver (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 359,581 housing units, a median build year of 1975, 56% built before 1980, 44% before 1970, 49% owner occupied.
Colorado Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in Colorado go to the Colorado Division of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Denver flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Denver
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Denver
The same 24/7 line covers the Denver metro area, including:
- Denver
- Aurora
- Lakewood
- Thornton
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Centennial
- Castle Rock
- Broomfield
- Commerce City
- Parker
- Littleton
Other Colorado city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Denver?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 8 and the median last is May 4 at the Denver-Stapleton station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.