Enter any address in Bell County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding dominates the flood character of Bell County, accounting for 159 recorded events and 11 deaths over the last 30 years, compared to 25 standard flood events.
Recent events illustrate this risk. On April 30, 2025, a slow-moving front and upper trough generated widespread showers and thunderstorms, causing impactful flash flooding due to the training of storms. Shortly after, on May 6, 2025, a sharp upper trough and meandering surface front produced two rounds of thunderstorms accompanied by large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
Homeowners, real estate agents, and journalists should pay close attention to properties across multiple FEMA zones where claims have occurred. In Zone X, 213 claims averaged a payout of $31,213 with an average recorded water depth of 17 inches. In Zone A, 180 claims averaged a payout of $50,760 with an average recorded water depth of 10 inches. Unshaded Zone X recorded 69 claims averaging $23,690 with an average water depth of 18 inches, while shaded Zone X recorded 22 claims averaging $66,857 with an average water depth of 6 inches. An additional 15 claims were recorded in unknown zones, averaging $999 with an average water depth of 1 inch.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
38 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bell County, Texas has recorded 184 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 159 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2024)
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 |
| Hurricane Ike | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2008 |
| Rein Street Fire | Fire | Jun 3, 2008 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 2007 |
| Rosewood Fire | Fire | Jan 5, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 30, 2025
A slow moving front and an upper trough generated scattered thunderstorms on April 29, and widespread showers and thunderstorms on April 30, across much of North and Central Texas. Some of these storms became severe with large hail and damaging winds, but the most impactful weather was flash flooding due to the slow movement of the front and the resulting ���training��� of thunderst...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms occurred the weekend of July 12, influenced by remnant outflow boundaries, a stalled front, and a slow-moving upper low. A mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) further enhanced precipitation totals and rain rates, resulting in flash flooding primarily across Central Texas.
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2025
An upper level low and remnant MCVs produced several rounds of heavy rain and training storms that produced flash flooding for a few day across the region, mainly across Central Texas.
Flash Flood — Jul 7, 2025
From the July 4th weekend into the early part of the following week, a weak upper trough lingered over North and Central Texas, triggering several days of scattered showers and thunderstorms. A saturated atmosphere combined with slow storm motions resulted in numerous flash flooding events throughout the region, particularly in Central Texas.
Flash Flood — May 6, 2025
A sharp upper trough and a meandering surface front generated two rounds of thunderstorms across the region, one round on May 5 and the other on May 6. Most of the severe weather took place on the 6th, when large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes occurred. A total of 5 tornadoes were surveyed in the far southeast parts of the County Warning Area: two EF-0s and three EF-1s. The strongest...
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 Bell 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 Bell County, Texas that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, 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.