Enter any address in Howard County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Howard County. Between 1994 and 2024, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 86 flash flood events and 2 flood events in the county, resulting in 2 fatalities. For example, on May 29, 2025, a strong storm in Dawson and Howard counties produced significant weather.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a mix of flood risk across different zones. Zone A experienced 11 claims with an average payout of $1,583 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. Zone X had 10 claims, averaging $35,126 per payout with an average water depth of 0.4 feet. Three claims in Zone UNKNOWN had an average payout of $20,469 and an average water depth of 10.0 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone UNKNOWN, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) determination, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Howard County, Texas has recorded 88 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 86 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2021)
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 | Aug 30, 2011 |
| Boyken Road Fire | Fire | Jun 20, 2011 |
| Matt Loop Fire | Fire | May 9, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Kentwood Fire | Fire | Mar 31, 2008 |
| Silver Heels Fire | Fire | Mar 27, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2025 | 70.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2025
A disturbance in the quasi-zonal/northwesterly flow aloft, a dryline, and a cold front moving across the northern Permian Basin allowed for the development of scattered thunderstorms across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Thunderstorm coverage continued to increase into the afternoon and evening, and a number of storms became severe. The strongest storm of the day was in Dawson and Howard ...
Flood — Apr 20, 2024
A shortwave trough ejecting out into the southern Great Plains aided in the development of a convective system across the Permian Basin. This convective system resulted in flooding across portions of the Permian Basin.
Flash Flood — May 4, 2024
A cold front moved across the Permian Basin before stalling during the afternoon. Several intense supercells formed along and behind this front, producing very large hail. Another area of thunderstorms developed near Fort Stockton. Very large hail and several tornadoes were produced by these supercells as they tracked southeast, mainly between US Highway 385 and US Highway 285.
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2024
Widespread slow-moving showers with moderate rain led to continued areas of flash flooding across the Permian Basin.
Flash Flood — Sep 2, 2024
A slow-moving upper-level low pressure over a stationary frontal boundary helped to generate widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region. Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall within a tropical airmass caused significant flash flooding across many Permian Basin and Southeast New Mexico areas.
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 Howard 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 Howard 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.