Enter any address in Bailey County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Bailey County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 20 recorded flash flood events and 6 general flood events. Recent occurrences include flash flooding on May 23, 2022, and September 21, 2019, when significant flooding was observed in Muleshoe.
These events are often fueled by ample atmospheric moisture and instability, leading to intense thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) on file, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
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.
Bailey County, Texas has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1992–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 21, 2019 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 18, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flood — Sep 21, 2024
A strong upper level low pressure system moving across the southwestern United States into the four-corners region brought ample lift to create scattered thunderstorms late in the afternoon of the 21st. Thunderstorms initially developed across eastern New Mexico by mid-afternoon in response to the approaching upper level system and moderate boundary layer instability. These thunderstorms moved ...
Flash Flood — May 23, 2022
Returning Gulf of Mexico moisture into the South Plains of West Texas fueled widespread severe thunderstorm development across the region on the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. Moderate to strong instability developed across the western South Plains and eastern New Mexico Monday afternoon and evening as the improving low-level moisture and temperatures warming into the 80s developed beneath ...
Flash Flood — May 17, 2021
A widespread severe thunderstorm event occurred on the afternoon and evening of the 17th. Thunderstorms initially formed along a dryline near the Texas/New Mexico state line and along an outflow boundary from previous day storms. The ample instability was complemented by large scale lift moving overhead from an upper level jet moving into the southern High Plains. Very intense supercells develo...
Flood — Sep 21, 2019
A very moist atmosphere combined with a strong upper level jet streak to create widespread rainfall and flooding in some locations on the Caprock. Precipitable water values were near record levels in part due to tropical moisture streaming over the region from Hurricane Lorena in the eastern Pacific Ocean. As a result, significant flooding was observed in Muleshoe (Bailey County) and Lubbock (L...
Flash Flood — May 9, 2017
Scattered supercell thunderstorms developed in the High Plains of eastern New Mexico this afternoon, before spreading northeast into the western South Plains of Texas accompanied by very large hail at times. Some of these storms acquired low-level rotation and resulted in small, brief tornadoes over open land. Also, repeated storms in portions of Bailey County resulted in several inches of rai...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bailey 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 Bailey 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.