1 federal flood & hurricane disasters
Share of the whole county outline, rivers and lakes included; parts FEMA hasn’t mapped count as zero.
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Crane County, Texas. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Flash flooding from slow-moving summer thunderstorms and upper-level weather systems dominates the flood risk in Crane County, with the NOAA Storm Events Database recording 16 flash flood events over the last 30 years.
Historical events illustrate this pattern. In June 2008, a slow-moving upper-level low-pressure system produced widespread showers and thunderstorms, creating flash flooding across the region. A similar atmospheric setup occurred in July 2017, when a weak upper low and wind shear axis drew moisture into the western Permian Basin; weak upper-level winds caused the storms to move slowly, resulting in flash flooding. Additional heavy rain events occurred in April 2007, driven by moisture from northern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, and in August 2007, when a tropical airmass and daytime heating produced rainfall totals exceeding four inches in some areas.
Homeowners, real estate agents, and journalists should pay the most attention to properties susceptible to sudden stormwater accumulation during slow-moving convective storms and heavy rainfall events.
Summary written from NOAA storm reports and NFIP claims for this county. Not a prediction.
12 federal disaster declarations since 1998, 1 of them floods, coastal storms or hurricanes.
| Disaster | Began |
|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Wildfires | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Extreme Fire Hazards | Aug 1, 1999 |
Weather and water disasters only; most recent first. Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations.
16 since 1996: 16 flash floods.
| Event | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2017 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2008 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2007 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2007 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2007 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2005 | — |
— = no damage estimate in the record. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Flash Flood · Jul 22, 2017. There was a weak upper low over east-central New Mexico and a wind shear axis over the western Permian Basin. This shear axis aided in drawing moisture across the area and helped to produce thunderstorms with strong winds. There were weak upper level winds over the area which contributed to slow storm movement and flash flooding.
Flash Flood · Jun 28, 2008. Widespread showers and thunderstorms developed across much of west Texas, as an upper level low pressure system slowly moved across the region. While flash flooding was the primary threat, a few thunderstorms did reached severe thresholds.
Flash Flood · Apr 29, 2007. An upper level low pressure system located over northern portions of Mexico in combination with east to southeast surface winds pulling in abundant amounts of Gulf moisture and providing upslope flow, led to the development of showers and thunderstorms across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. |During the overnight hours on early Sunday morning, showers and thunderstorms moved out of northern Mexico into sout…
Flash Flood · Jul 20, 2007. As low level moisture continued to move into the region on southeast surface flow, an upper level low pressure system centered over the Trans Pecos area provided the lift needed for persistant showers.
National Weather Service narratives, lightly trimmed. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Every colour on the map above is a place on this drawing: where the ground sits relative to the flood FEMA plans for.
If a building in Crane County is in a high-risk zone (A or V) and its mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender, or is federally backed, flood insurance is required.
Outside those zones it is optional, and often worth having: from 2014 to 2024 nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Since Risk Rating 2.0, NFIP premiums are set for each building, so the only reliable price is a quote: FloodSmart.gov or a local agent.