Enter any address in Brewster County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates Brewster County's flood events. Between 2000 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 78 flash flood events, compared to only one general flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 29, 2025, and July 3, 2025, both linked to monsoonal moisture and tropical storm remnants.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A properties have seen the most claims (7), with an average payout of $2,729 and water depths of 0.4 feet, a single claim in Zone X resulted in a significantly higher payout of $29,148 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Properties located in Zone A, or any properties that have experienced flooding, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Brewster County, Texas has recorded 79 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 78 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1998–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Gage Holland Fire | Fire | May 8, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2022 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 21, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2025
An approaching trough out of northern Mexico and continued monsoonal moisture resulted in areas of localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 3, 2025
Anomalously high moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry encouraged the development of tropical downpours across West Texas and Southeast New Mexico. These downpours resulted in Flash Flooding for portions of the area.
Flash Flood — Jun 1, 2024
Continued troughing across the western CONUS with shortwave impulses moving into the southern Great Plains aided in the development of afternoon severe thunderstorms and localized flash flooding across the Davis Mountains and vicinity.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2023
A long-track complex of thunderstorms developed off of the higher terrain of eastern New Mexico and moved southeast. This complex produced severe wind gusts across the northern Permian Basin early that morning. Additional thunderstorms developed across portions of the higher elevations of the Davis Mountains later that afternoon. Severe winds and flash flooding were observed with these thunders...
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2022
There was an upper level low pressure system over Northern Mexico. A cold front was across the Permian Basin. These features brought an increase in lift across West Texas. High low-level moisture was in place. These conditions resulted in thunderstorms that produced high wind gusts in Brewster County.
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 Brewster 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 Brewster 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.