Enter any address in Lynn County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lynn County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 28 flash flood events and 11 flood events in the county. Recent events include flash flooding on May 31, 2024, which affected Tahoka, and August 30, 2024, when six inches of water flowed over US Highway 87 between O'Donnell and Tahoka.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X_Unshaded, areas with reduced flood risk, have experienced claims averaging $21,727 with an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone X_Unshaded should pay particular attention to flood risk, as these areas are not exempt from potential flooding and associated damages.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lynn County, Texas has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1992–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Hurricane Alex | Hurricane | Jun 30, 2010 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2015 | 300.00K |
| Flood | Aug 3, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 31, 2024
Another day of severe thunderstorms affected the South Plains of West Texas on the evening of the 31st. Broad southeasterly low level atmospheric flow allowed thunderstorms to initially develop in eastern New Mexico. Upscale growth allowed thunderstorms to move into West Texas despite a capped atmosphere over the South Plains. This line of thunderstorms produced widespread severe wind gusts fro...
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2024
Isolated thunderstorms developed across the southern South Plains on the afternoon of the 30th. A very moist atmosphere was able to generate efficient rain producing thunderstorms. A slow moving isolated thunderstorm moving across southern Lynn County produced a wet microburst. Areas along US Highway 87 between O'Donnell and Tahoka were reported to have approximately six inches of water flowing...
Flash Flood — Jun 1, 2023
Rich moisture, a weak upper level disturbance, and several low-level boundaries worked in concert to bring torrential rainfall to portions of the south-central and southeastern South Plains on the first. One of the primary factors, in addition to the plentiful moisture, was a low-level boundary, originating from thunderstorm activity that affected the Texas Panhandle the previous evening into t...
Flash Flood — Aug 28, 2022
On the afternoon of the 28th, scattered thunderstorms developed over the central and southwestern South Plains within a low level convergence zone from a surface pressure trough. Hot temperatures and well above average moisture levels fueled the development of convection as it slowly moved to the east. These slow moving storms brought severe wind gusts and widespread flooding to parts of Lubboc...
Flash Flood — May 5, 2019
Very strong instability developed across the South Plains this afternoon east of a sharp dryline. Scattered thunderstorms developed along the length of this dryline by 1600 CST and slowly matured into severe thunderstorms, including supercells. A remnant outflow boundary near the US Highway 84 corridor drifted west and interacted with an already stout supercell in southwest Lubbock County. This...
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 Lynn 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 Lynn 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.