Enter any address in Castro County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates flood events in Castro County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 23 flash flood events compared to 6 general flood events. For example, in May 2023, intense rain caused flash flooding in northern Castro County as storms repeatedly trained over the same locations, making numerous roads impassable. In August 2018, slow-moving thunderstorms deposited significant rainfall, estimated as high as five inches in western Castro County.
Residents in areas prone to poor drainage, particularly those located in zones with higher flood risk according to FEMA, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Castro County, Texas has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1992–2021)
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 Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| 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 | Sep 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 6, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 20, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 10, 2007 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2024
A strong upper level low pressure system moving across the southwestern United States into the four-corners region brought ample lift to create scattered thunderstorms late in the afternoon of the 21st. Thunderstorms initially developed across eastern New Mexico by mid-afternoon in response to the approaching upper level system and moderate boundary layer instability. These thunderstorms moved ...
Flash Flood — May 27, 2023
A complex of thunderstorms developed in northeast New Mexico and parts of the Texas Panhandle on the evening of the 26th and swept southeastward early on the 27th, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to all but the southwestern South Plains. The intense rain, falling on top of already saturated soils, created flash flooding in spots. The most intense rainfall was in northern Castro County wher...
Flash Flood — Aug 15, 2018
A very moist and unstable air mass supported several strong and severe thunderstorms this evening spanning portions of the far southwest Texas Panhandle. Many of these storms were very slow moving and deposited significant rainfall estimated as great as five inches in some areas of eastern Parmer and western Castro Counties.
Flood — Oct 8, 2018
Early morning showers and thunderstorms across much of the South Plains were followed by additional rounds of heavy rainfall through midday. The latter rounds of rain were focused near and just east of the Interstate 27 and US Highway 87 corridor where as much as two inches of rain fell on top of soils that were already saturated from heavy rains that fell just three days earlier. The result w...
Flash Flood — Apr 14, 2017
On the afternoon of the 14th, isolated thunderstorms developed along a dryline over far east-central New Mexico and moved into Parmer and Bailey Counties. Mixed layer CAPE reached values on the order of 3000 J/kg by late afternoon, with low level wind shear amplifying by early evening. One of these storms evolved into a slow moving supercell that persisted for almost nine hours and produced at ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Castro 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 Castro 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.