Enter any address in Martin County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Martin County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 31 flash flood events in the county. For example, on May 15, 2020, thunderstorms produced flash flooding across the area. Similarly, on September 13, 2025, a line of showers and thunderstorms resulted in multiple reports of flash flooding.
While most flood insurance claims in Martin County have an unknown zone designation, one claim in an unknown zone resulted in an average payout of $390 with an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those without a home located above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Martin County, Texas has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1992–2021)
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 | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Price Fire | Fire | May 1, 2008 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 13, 2025 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 4, 2020 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2017 | 0.20K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2015 | 0.75K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2014 | 0.30K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2014 | 0.30K |
Flash Flood — Sep 13, 2025
A nearby trough, coupled with a very moist airmass, led to the development of a line of showers and thunderstorms in New Mexico during the morning of the 13th. This line moved across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas throughout the day, strengthening in the afternoon thanks to diurnal destabilization. Additional thunderstorms developed in Southeast New Mexico behind this line in the higher te...
Flash Flood — May 15, 2020
An upper level trough moved over the region from the west. A dryline was across West Texas and southeast New Mexico with plentiful moisture east of the dryline. High instability was also in place across the area. These conditions resulted in thunderstorms developing that produced large hail, severe winds, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Mar 4, 2020
There was an upper level low over far West Texas which provided atmospheric lift. An abundance of moisture was across the area. The lift and moisture combined to produce rain which resulted in flash flooding across the Permian Basin.
Flash Flood — Sep 7, 2018
An upper trough was slowly moving across the Central Plains. A lingering cold front from the previous day was still across the area providing a source of lift along with the upper trough. West Texas was also under a favorable region of the jet stream for lift. There was a plentiful supply of moisture across the area. All of this moisture and lift resulted in flash flooding across portions of We...
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2017
There was an upper trough extending from the Great Plains to the Desert Southwest. Warm, moist air was interacting with a cold front north of southwest Texas. A plentiful supply of moisture was across West Texas, and upper lift was enhanced by placement of the area under an upper jet stream. The positioning of the front and the upper jet allowed for storms and heavy rain to develop and move ove...
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 Martin 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 Martin 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.