Enter any address in Harris County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense storms is the most frequent flood event in Harris County, TX, accounting for 216 occurrences over the last 30 years, which also resulted in 70 fatalities. Recent events include widespread flash flooding in April 2024, and January 2024 saw numerous flash flood events leading to high water rescues and a fatality. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also contributed to flood risk, with 9 tropical storm events and 3 hurricane events recorded in the same period.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims filed across various flood zones. Zone A, representing areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, has the highest number of claims at 62,175, with an average payout of $60,519 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Zone X, representing areas with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding, also has a substantial number of claims (60,176), though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in or near frequently flooded zones like Zone A, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
79 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Harris County, Texas has recorded 247 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 216 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 41 federal disaster declarations, 13 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 |
| Hurricane Hanna | Hurricane | Jul 25, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Imelda | Flood | Sep 17, 2019 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2025 | 75.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 31, 2025
Heavy rains in the city of Houston produced flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 12, 2025
Storms occurring overnight, producing damaging winds, flooding and brief tornadoes.
Flash Flood — Jun 4, 2025
Thunderstorms produced flash flooding along portions of I-10.
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2024
Evening through overnight storms produced a lot of flash flooding, a couple tornadoes, some winds damage and some hail.
Flood — Jan 24, 2024
A series of disturbances moved across the area resulting in numerous flash flood events that resulted in the flooding of many homes, extensive high water rescues, and a flood-related fatality.
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 Harris 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 Harris 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.