Enter any address in Fayette County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Fayette County, TX. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 79 flash flood events and 9 flood events, resulting in 2 fatalities. Recent examples include flash flooding in January 2024, attributed to an upper-level trough and moist air creating locally heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $74,875 and an average water depth of 7.9 feet. Zone X areas also see significant claims, averaging $49,453 with 7.6 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fayette County, Texas has recorded 90 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 79 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 30, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 27, 2017 | 50.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2024
An upper-level trough remained nearly stationary over the western US resulting in southwesterly flow over Texas. A stationary boundary stretched across central Texas with anomalously moist air south of the boundary. A series of shortwave troughs moved through the upper pattern generating several rounds of locally heavy rain over three days. There was also some large hail.
Flash Flood — May 8, 2023
Thunderstorms developed in a weakly capped, conditionally unstable airmass along an old outflow boundary. Some of these storms produced large hail and localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 18, 2021
An upper level low moved slowly across the southwestern US and generated several rounds of thunderstorms over South Central Texas. Storms during this period produced two tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain that led to flash flooding. Most of the severe weather occurred in two periods on May 18: the early morning and the late afternoon and evening.
Flash Flood — Oct 14, 2021
A complicated weather pattern developed over South Central Texas when a dryline and cold front moved out of West Texas as an upper level low moved into the Central Plains. At the same time the remnants of Pacific Hurricane Pamela moved across northern Mexico. The airmass over the region was warm and moist with near record precipitable water values. This set up led to an excessive rain episode w...
Flash Flood — Oct 31, 2018
A cold front moved into a warm, moist atmosphere and generated thunderstorms some of which produced strong wind gusts and heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
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 Fayette 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 Fayette 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.