Enter any address in Gaines County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Gaines County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 67 flash flood events compared to 1 general flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on October 3, 2023, and June 2, 2023, which were associated with severe weather systems bringing heavy rainfall to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced flood damage, with an average payout of $6,664 and an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Claims were also recorded in Zone Unknown. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gaines County, Texas has recorded 68 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 67 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 12, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Nov 17, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 3, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2021 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2019 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2018 | 6.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Nov 17, 2024
A large trough over northern Mexico moved into the southern Great Plains from the evening of November 27 into the morning of November 28. This system caused high winds across the Guadalupe Mountains. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms formed ahead of this trough, producing areas of flash flooding, hail, and damaging wind gusts.
Flash Flood — Oct 3, 2023
An anomalous late-season severe weather setup developed across the southern Great Plains during the start of October. A large slow-moving trough across the Four Corners combined with very rich low-level moisture to produce widespread severe weather and localized flash flooding, especially across portions of southeast New Mexico and west Texas.
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. ...
Flash Flood — May 15, 2021
An upper level trough was centered over California and Nevada. A dryline was present across West Texas. High moisture and instability were present east of the dryline. High wind shear was also across the area. Upper level disturbances moved over the area which helped to increase atmospheric lift. These conditions resulted in thunderstorms with hail, strong winds, and flash flooding across West ...
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2019
An upper ridge was over the Four Corners region and an upper trough was strengthening over the eastern part of the country. A cold front that was associated with the upper trough was moving through West Texas and southeast New Mexico. This front interacted with the plentiful moisture across the area. These conditions resulted in flash flooding across West Texas.
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 Gaines 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 Gaines 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.