Enter any address in Hardin County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe weather events is the dominant flood character in Hardin County. Recent examples include flash floods in May 2024, driven by persistent upper troughs and squall lines, and in November 2024, when a stalled frontal boundary combined with moisture from a tropical storm produced heavy rainfall and flooding.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that while Zone X areas have seen the highest number of claims (996), properties in Zone A have experienced higher average water depths (3.7 ft) and similar average payouts ($88,305) compared to Zone X ($88,732 payout, 3.3 ft water depth). Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED have also experienced claims with significant water depths.
Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those in areas designated as Zone A, or properties that have historically experienced significant water depth and payouts, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hardin County, Texas has recorded 57 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 47 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 32 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 (1973–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 22, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2024 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 9, 2024 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2024
Short waves traversed the region during the afternoons at the end of May. This occurred while the area was at peak afternoon heating each day which set the stage for severe thunderstorms to develop.
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2024
A line of thunderstorms moved across Southeast Texas causing another round of heavy rain and severe weather. This produced more flooding in areas that had not completely drained from rain earlier in the month.
Flash Flood — Dec 26, 2024
A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved into deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2024
An upper trough parked over the region for near a week. Short waves kept traversing the base of the trough for the duration of the event causing several days of unsettled weather. Some days produced severe squall lines with numerous reports of damage.
Flash Flood — May 13, 2024
An upper trough parked over the region for near a week. Short waves kept traversing the base of the trough for the duration of the event causing several days of unsettled weather. Some days produced severe squall lines with numerous reports of damage.
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 Hardin 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 Hardin 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.