Enter any address in Cameron County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Cameron County, TX, with 92 such events recorded in the last 30 years. This is followed by general flooding (49 events), tropical storms (5 events), and coastal flooding (5 events). Recent events include significant rainfall in July 2025, which caused minor street flooding on South Padre Island and in Port Isabel, and widespread flash and areal flooding in March 2025, with rainfall totals reaching up to 19 inches in some areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the highest number of claims (2,165) with an average payout of $49,759 and an average water depth of 5.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen a substantial number of claims (1,504) with lower average payouts and water depths.
Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners in these zones may face a higher likelihood of flood damage and should consider flood insurance and mitigation measures.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
91 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cameron County, Texas has recorded 153 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 92 flash floods and 49 river or area floods. The county has received 34 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 (1967–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Tropical Storms Marco And Laura | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2020 |
| Hurricane Hanna | Hurricane | Jul 25, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 24, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 19, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2025 | 105.00M |
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Jun 19, 2024 | 2.50M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2024 | 15.00K |
Flood — Mar 28, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms pummeled the Lower Rio Grande Valley, especially during the afternoon and overnight hours of March 27th into early on March 28th, resulting in historic seasonal rainfall and widespread flash and areal flooding across the RGV. Total rainfall ranged from 8 to nearly 19 inches based on trusted observations, with 10 inches or more falling across some of ...
Flash Flood — Mar 27, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms pummeled the Lower Rio Grande Valley, especially during the afternoon and overnight hours of March 27th into early on March 28th, resulting in historic seasonal rainfall and widespread flash and areal flooding across the RGV. Total rainfall ranged from 8 to nearly 19 inches based on trusted observations, with 10 inches or more falling across some of ...
Flood — Mar 27, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms pummeled the Lower Rio Grande Valley, especially during the afternoon and overnight hours of March 27th into early on March 28th, resulting in historic seasonal rainfall and widespread flash and areal flooding across the RGV. Total rainfall ranged from 8 to nearly 19 inches based on trusted observations, with 10 inches or more falling across some of ...
Flood — Sep 19, 2025
A small but potent slow-moving thunderstorm dropped rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour for about 2 hours in a small area between Olmito and Rancho Viejo, about 11 miles north-northwest of downtown Brownsville. Minor flooding of 1 to 2 feet, mainly on poor drainage roads, was observed in the area.
Flood — Jul 1, 2025
Repeating bands of tropical rainfall impacted eastern Cameron and southern Willacy County during the daylight hours of July 1, with daily totals, most between 6 AM and 6 PM CST, averaging 3 inches or higher. Two longer-duration bands impacted southeast Cameron County during the late morning and late afternoon, with each producing minor but notable street flooding on South Padre Island and possi...
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 Cameron 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 Cameron 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.