Enter any address in Callahan County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Callahan County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 27 flash flood events, alongside 4 general flood events and 1 tropical depression. For example, strong to severe thunderstorms produced flash flooding in portions of Taylor and Callahan counties on March 7, 2024. Additionally, a significant heavy rainfall event occurred in early September 2024 across nearby areas, resulting in localized heavy rainfall amounts that caused significant flooding.
FEMA data shows that while most flood claims in Callahan County have occurred in Zone A, which experienced an average water depth of 2.0 feet and an average payout of $9,065, claims have also been filed in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in lower-lying areas or areas prone to rapid water accumulation, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Callahan County, Texas has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 4 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 (1990–2021)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 10, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Steel Fire | Fire | Apr 7, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 17, 2018 | 1.06M |
| Flash Flood | Feb 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 12, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 19, 2025
The combination of a stationary front, surface dryline and an upper level low pressure system to the west resulted in many severe thunderstorms developing on the afternoon and evening along the stationary front on April 19th. Also, moderate to strong instability and strong vertical wind shear helped with the severe storm development. The severe storms produced very large hail and damaging winds...
Flood — May 18, 2025
The combination of a strong upper level area of low pressure and a surface dryline resulted in a few rounds of severe thunderstorms across portions of west central Texas. In addition, strong to extreme instability and strong vertical wind shear assisted with severe thunderstorm development. The severe storms produced large hail and a tornado in Shackelford County on May 18th.
Flash Flood — Mar 7, 2024
Strong to severe thunderstorms produced isolated large hail across portions of the Heartland as well as flash flooding in portions of Taylor and Callahan counties.
Flood — Sep 2, 2024
A significant heavy rainfall event occurred early in the month across mainly the Concho Valley, northern Heartland and southern Big Country due to a slow moving upper level storm system and a very moist tropical airmass, which was near record levels for early September. Numerous showers and a few thunderstorms produced localized heavy rainfall amounts greater than 10 inches across portions of n...
Flood — May 31, 2021
A slow moving cold front interacted with a very warm and moist airmass across the region and produced very heavy rainfall mainly along and north of I20. About 2 to 4 inches fell mainly along and north of a line from Sterling City to Brownwood and flooded several roads across the region.
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 Callahan 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 Callahan 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.