Enter any address in Hale County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Hale County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 20 recorded flash flood events and 14 flood events. For example, on June 5th, a supercell thunderstorm produced heavy rain and flash flooding in the region. More recently, on September 18th, an isolated thunderstorm over Hale Center resulted in an estimated three inches of rain within 30 minutes, stranding vehicles on Interstate-27.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the majority of claims, with an average payout of $4,226 and an average water depth of 0.4 feet. Properties in Zone Unknown also had claims, though with lower average payouts and no reported water depth. Residents in Zone A, or those unsure of their flood zone designation, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hale County, Texas has recorded 34 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
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 | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Extreme Fire Hazards | Fire | Aug 1, 1999 |
| Tropical Storm Charley | Severe Storm | Aug 22, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2019 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 23, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2015 | 100.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 6, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 18, 2025
An isolated thunderstorm initially developed over northwestern Hale County and drifted to the southeast over Hale Center (Hale County). As this storm passed over Hale Center, it produced very heavy rainfall. Although no known gauges existed in Hale Center at the time, an estimated three inches of rain fell within 30 minutes. Local broadcast media relayed a video of numerous vehicles stranded in...
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2025
During the afternoon and evening hours of the fifth, an intense supercell thunderstorm moved over the South Plains region of West Texas, producing several tornadoes over portions of Cochran, Hockley, and Lubbock Counties. This thunderstorm also produced widespread damage from very strong straight-line winds and large hail across western and southwestern portions of the City of Lubbock (Lubbock ...
Flood — May 27, 2023
A complex of thunderstorms developed in northeast New Mexico and parts of the Texas Panhandle on the evening of the 26th and swept southeastward early on the 27th, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to all but the southwestern South Plains. The intense rain, falling on top of already saturated soils, created flash flooding in spots. The most intense rainfall was in northern Castro County wher...
Flash Flood — May 23, 2023
Another consecutive evening of severe storms occurred on the Caprock on the evening of the 23rd as the atmosphere again became very unstable. Several of the thunderstorms were able to gain significant mid-level rotation which allowed them to generate very large hail. Hailstones as large as baseballs damaged multiple vehicles northwest of Shallowater (Lubbock County) along US Highway 84, while m...
Flash Flood — May 25, 2019
Another consecutive day of severe weather unfolded across the South Plains of West Texas and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle. An upper level trough remained in place over the Intermountain West with a weak short wave moving over the South Plains during the afternoon hours. Convection initially developed late in the morning in eastern New Mexico while rapidly expanding in coverage as convec...
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 Hale 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 Hale 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.