Enter any address in Austin County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Austin County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 41 flash flood events, alongside 3 tropical storm events and 1 flood event. Recent examples include multiple flash flood events in January 2024 that led to flooded homes and high-water rescues. In April 2023, flooding also occurred in portions of the county due to overnight storms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a significant number of claims filed in Zone A, with an average payout of $48,403 and an average water depth of 5.8 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded areas, with average payouts ranging from $39,935 to $55,752 and average water depths from 3.3 to 5.2 feet. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in other designated flood zones and properties near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Austin County, Texas has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1991–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2017 | 100.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 25, 2017 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 18, 2016 | 2.30M (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2024
A series of disturbances moved across the area resulting in numerous flash flood events that resulted in the flooding of many homes, extensive high water rescues, and a flood-related fatality.
Flash Flood — Jan 23, 2024
A series of disturbances moved across the area resulting in numerous flash flood events that resulted in the flooding of many homes, extensive high water rescues, and a flood-related fatality.
Flash Flood — Sep 15, 2023
Late afternoon through early evening severe thunderstorms produced some localized flash flooding and isolated wind damage.
Flood — Apr 7, 2023
Flooding occurred in portions of Montgomery and Austin Counties as storms moved through the area during the night of April 6 and morning of April 7.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2021
Strong thunderstorms producing heavy rain resulted in Flash Flooding across portions of Harris and Austin Counties.
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 Austin County, Texas:
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 Austin County, Texas 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.