Enter any address in Ellis County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving weather systems is the dominant flood character in Ellis County. Recent events include flash flooding on April 30, 2025, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, and multiple instances of flash flooding on January 29-30, 2025, associated with a slow-moving upper low.
Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 100 flash flood events and 9 general flood events in Ellis County, resulting in 2 fatalities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone X properties have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $38,314 and an average water depth of 5.1 feet. Properties in Zone A also saw significant claims, averaging $44,777 with 2.1 feet of water.
Homeowners in Zone X and Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
20 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ellis County, Texas has recorded 109 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 100 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 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 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| County Line Fire | Fire | Jun 18, 2011 |
| Hurricane Ike | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 29, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2024 | 6.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2024 | 7.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 30, 2025
A slow moving upper low generated multiple rounds of rain, some heavy, the night of January 29 into the morning of January 30 across North Texas. Much of the heavy rain and associated flooding occurred in and near the DFW Metroplex.
Flash Flood — Apr 30, 2025
A slow moving front and an upper trough generated scattered thunderstorms on April 29, and widespread showers and thunderstorms on April 30, across much of North and Central Texas. Some of these storms became severe with large hail and damaging winds, but the most impactful weather was flash flooding due to the slow movement of the front and the resulting ���training��� of thunderst...
Flash Flood — Jan 29, 2025
A slow moving upper low generated multiple rounds of rain, some heavy, the night of January 29 into the morning of January 30 across North Texas. Much of the heavy rain and associated flooding occurred in and near the DFW Metroplex.
Flash Flood — May 30, 2024
Another complex of thunderstorms moved southeast through North and Central Texas during the day on May 30, producing scattered wind damage and severe hail along with some flash flooding. A second round of storms initiated along the dryline Thursday evening, producing more severe weather and flash flooding overnight into the early morning hours of May 31. After above normal rainfall throughout t...
Flash Flood — Apr 10, 2024
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms occurred from Monday April 8 through Wednesday April 10 as a deep low pressure system moved east through the Rockies, eventually transitioning to an open trough as it traversed the Plains. The first round of thunderstorms began immediately after the region experienced a total solar eclipse! Large hail was the primary severe weather occurrence on April 8th, thoug...
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 Ellis 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 Ellis 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.