Enter any address in Dawson County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood risk profile in Dawson County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 52 recorded flash flood events compared to only one general flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding reported in September 2025 following a moist airmass and trough, and in May 2025 when a strong storm produced flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that while most claims in Dawson County have occurred in Zone A, with an average payout of $15,469, one claim was also filed in Zone X_Unshaded, with an average payout of $9,523. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X_Unshaded who may still experience flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dawson County, Texas has recorded 53 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 52 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Hurricane Alex | Hurricane | Jun 30, 2010 |
| 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 | May 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 13, 2025 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2021 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 10.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2025
A disturbance in the quasi-zonal/northwesterly flow aloft, a dryline, and a cold front moving across the northern Permian Basin allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Thunderstorm coverage continued to increase into the afternoon and evening, and a number of storms became severe. The strongest storm of the day was in Dawson and Howard ...
Flash Flood — Sep 13, 2025
A nearby trough, coupled with a very moist airmass, led to the development of a line of showers and thunderstorms in New Mexico during the morning of the 13th. This line moved across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas throughout the day, strengthening in the afternoon thanks to diurnal destabilization. Additional thunderstorms developed in Southeast New Mexico behind this line in the higher te...
Flash Flood — Jun 10, 2025
A cold front/outflow boundary, coupled with vorticity maxima in the northwesterly flow aloft, resulted in the development of severe thunderstorms in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico during the evening and overnight hours on June 9th. Supercells formed initially, but storms eventually grew upscale later that night. These storms produced multiple instances of severe winds ...
Flash Flood — Jul 3, 2025
Anomalously high moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry encouraged the development of tropical downpours across West Texas and Southeast New Mexico. These downpours resulted in Flash Flooding for portions of the area.
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2023
A large closed upper-low was located over the northern Great Plains with a shortwave trough to the south within the sub-tropical jet stream. These features helped bring rich moisture and instability into the region. Widespread strong to severe thunderstorms developed across much of the region. The Permian Basin and the Stockton Plateau were the two main areas of note. Severe winds, large hail. ...
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 Dawson 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 Dawson 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.