Enter any address in Hays County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hays County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 126 flash flood events, resulting in 15 fatalities. Recent events include flash flooding on January 22, 2024, caused by an upper-level trough and moist air, and multiple flash flood events on June 12, 2025, attributed to efficient rain-producing thunderstorms.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $52,558 and an average water depth of 7.6 feet. Properties in Zone X also show significant claims activity. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
41 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hays County, Texas has recorded 139 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 126 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 (1970–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 30, 2023 |
| 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 | Oct 22, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 30, 2013 |
| Old Bastrop Highway Fire Complex | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2025
A mid-level shortwave trough moved over Texas and combined with an abnormally moist airmass to generate thunderstorms. These storms were very efficient rain producers dropping locally heavy rain that led to flash flooding. There were also a few severe thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Jan 22, 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 — Oct 26, 2023
Thunderstorms developed along an outflow boundary in a very moist airmass. Storms were fed by strong low level winds. In addition to aiding buoyancy, these winds also contributed to significant low level wind shear. Some storms produced weak tornadoes and locally heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 29, 2021
An upper level low moved over Texas and interacted with a warm, moist airmass generating thunderstorms. Some of these storms produced damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain that led to flash flooding. Additional thunderstorms developed during the evening of the 30th.
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...
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 Hays 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 Hays 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.