Enter any address in Cotton County, Oklahoma to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Cotton County, Oklahoma. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 5 general flood events. Recent occurrences include flash flooding on March 19, 2020, following multiple rounds of thunderstorms, and on May 19, 2017, as storms moved across the state. Another notable event on July 17, 2014, resulted in localized flash flooding near Walters, requiring at least one high-water rescue.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding with an average water depth of 2.8 feet and an average payout of $3,934. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, with an average water depth of 1.0 foot and a higher average payout of $24,758. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
Cotton County, Oklahoma has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 37 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1971–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Apr 25, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 8, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Tornado | May 16, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 11, 2016 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 5, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 22, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 30, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2007 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 17, 2006 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 16, 2006 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 19, 2020
A strong upper level wave provided lift for numerous thunderstorms to develop, with several rounds of storms leading to scattered reports of hail, wind, and flooding on the 18th into early on the 19th.
Flash Flood — May 19, 2017
A line of storms fired along and just ahead of a cold front on the afternoon of the 19th and continued eastward across the state overnight into the 20th.
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2014
Several hours of heavy rainfall along a slow moving warm front led to localized flash flooding near Walters. At least one high-water rescue was required.
Flash Flood — Apr 22, 2011
A cold front moved slowly southeast before stalling near the I-44 corridor. A dry line stretched just ahead of the front, lying from near Lawton southward into northern Texas, with warm, moist air present ahead of it. By early evening, thunderstorms had developed ahead of these boundaries, just south and east of the Oklahoma City metro area. Large hail was reported with several of the thunders...
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2008
An unseasonably strong upper level storm system moved over the southern half of Oklahoma, beginning on the 18th and continuing through the 19th. Abundant moisture was in place ahead of the storm system and even increased as the storm system began moving east over the Red River. Several waves of heavy showers and thunderstorms overspread areas from Hollis to Oklahoma City, resulting in extremel...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Cotton County, Oklahoma:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Cotton County, Oklahoma that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.