Enter any address in Donley County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Donley County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 5 flood events. For example, thunderstorms caused minor flooding on May 23, 2020, and a flood event occurred on March 13, 2021, associated with a potent upper-level system.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that Zone A, areas with a moderate to high flood risk, has seen 7 claims with an average payout of $1,025 and an average water depth of 3.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, or those residing near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Donley County, Texas has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Corner Pocket Fire | Fire | Mar 15, 2026 |
| 8 Ball Fire | Fire | Feb 17, 2026 |
| Rest Area Fire | Fire | Mar 14, 2025 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2021 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 17, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 22, 2025
Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours of April 22nd east of the dryline. The combination of instability, abundant low level moisture and wind shear allowed storms to become severe and produce hail up to ping pong ball size in the southeast Texas Panhandle. A similar setup occurred on April 23rd where the dryline was situated a little further west which allowed for storms to develop...
Flood — Mar 13, 2021
A very potent upper level system produced widespread hazards from heavy snow across the front range/Rockies to severe weather across the Southern High Plains. The vigorous closed upper low was approached the Four Corners region from the west. A warm front lifted north and northwest across all but the Oklahoma Panhandle and the northwest Texas Panhandle while a sharpening dryline was located ove...
Flood — May 23, 2020
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and evening across eastern and central parts of the Texas Panhandle. The storms developed within a highly unstable and modestly sheared airmass along and ahead of the dryline. Some of these storms became severe across the southeast and south-central Texas Panhandle, producing large hail and gusts of 58 MPH or higher. One severe thunder...
Flood — Apr 17, 2019
A cold front stalled across the Texas Panhandle, and was oriented from southwest to northeast over the region. The temperatures and moisture contrast along the front in-conjunction with a potent mid-level disturbance provided plenty of instability and lift for thunderstorms to develop. Sufficient wind shear allowed for supercells to develop and some of these storms produced large hail up to 2 i...
Flash Flood — May 22, 2016
One of the most significant severe weather events of the 2016 severe weather season occurred on the 22nd and brought large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes to mainly the eastern Texas Panhandle. A supercell thunderstorm produced at least 6 tornadoes in southern Ochiltree County on the evening of May 22, 2016. No damage was reported for the final two tornadoes east of Highway 70 in open countr...
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 Donley 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 Donley 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.