Enter any address in Lavaca County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lavaca County, TX. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 104 flash flood events, with one associated fatality. For example, residents experienced heavy rain and flash flooding in January 2024 due to a stationary weather boundary and moist air. In May 2023, thunderstorms moving across the region also produced locally heavy rain and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which have a higher flood risk, accounted for the majority of claims, with an average payout of $16,510 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also experienced claims, averaging $4,701 with 0.6 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in any flood zone with a lower base flood elevation (BFE) or without flood insurance, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lavaca County, Texas has recorded 116 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 104 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Hurricane Ike | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2008 |
| Hurricane Gustav | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 26, 2017 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jun 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 20, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 17, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 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 — May 13, 2023
An upper level trough moved over a moist, unstable airmass and generated thunderstorms. Storms initially formed over the higher terrain in Mexico and moved across the Rio Grande into Texas. Some storms produced damaging wind gusts. Storms eventually congealed into a slow-moving line that produce locally heavy rain leading to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jan 7, 2023
An upper level shortwave trough brought a cold front through South Central Texas. Thunderstorms developed along this boundary and some produced heavy rain that led to flash flooding.
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...
Tropical Storm — Aug 26, 2017
Hurricane Harvey moved onshore as a Category 4 hurricane over San Jose Island east of Rockport during the late evening of August 25th. Harvey moved inland entering southern DeWitt County during the morning of August 26th as a Category 1 hurricane. It continued to weaken as it moved farther inland eventually reaching south central Gonzales County as a tropical storm during the late evening of A...
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 Lavaca 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 Lavaca 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.