Enter any address in Caldwell County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Caldwell County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 83 flash flood events, resulting in 10 fatalities. A significant event occurred on October 14, 2021, when a complex weather pattern brought excessive rain, leading to considerable flash and river flooding. Another instance of flash flooding due to locally heavy rain from thunderstorms was recorded on May 1, 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $45,003 and an average water depth of 6.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show a high average payout of $40,728 with an average water depth of 11.6 feet, and Zone X has seen substantial payouts as well. Residents in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Caldwell County, Texas has recorded 101 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 83 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
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 Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 22, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 30, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Oct 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 7, 2018 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 26, 2017 | 12.85M |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Oct 14, 2021
A complicated weather pattern developed over South Central Texas when a dryline and cold front moved out of West Texas as an upper level low moved into the Central Plains. At the same time the remnants of Pacific Hurricane Pamela moved across northern Mexico. The airmass over the region was warm and moist with near record precipitable water values. This set up led to an excessive rain episode w...
Flash Flood — May 1, 2021
An upper level low over the Big Bend region combined with a surface low over South Texas to generate thunderstorms. The airmass in which these storms developed was very moist with precipitable water values above the 90th percentile of the long term record. Some of these storms produced locally heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 28, 2020
Thunderstorms developed as an upper level shortwave trough moved across South Central Texas. These storms fed off a very moist airmass with precipitable water values above two inches. Some storms produced heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 9, 2020
A cold front moved into a warm, moist airmass over South Central Texas generating thunderstorms. Some of these storms produced heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Mar 28, 2018
A cold front moved into a warm, very moist airmass over South Central Texas and generated thunderstorms. Some of these storms produced large hail and heavy rain. The heavy rain led to localized flash flooding. Rainfall totals in worst hit counties ranged from 4.09 to 5.72 inches.
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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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.