Enter any address in Mitchell County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms and convective systems dominates the flood character in Mitchell County. Recent events include widespread flash flooding on September 2, 2024, caused by repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall, and flooding across portions of the Permian Basin on April 20, 2024, resulting from a convective system.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 48 flash flood events and 8 flood events in the county. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while most claims are in zones with unknown flood risk, there have been claims in Zone A, averaging $11,407 in payouts with an average water depth of 1.0 foot.
Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties located in low-lying areas or those that have experienced flooding in the past may also warrant increased awareness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Mitchell County, Texas has recorded 56 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 48 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2021)
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 |
| Mitchell Fire Complex | Fire | Feb 27, 2011 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
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 — 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.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2023
A complex of showers and thunderstorms developed across eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle during the afternoon of September 15th. This merged into a mesoscale convective complex that moved southeast through much of southeast New Mexico and the Permian Basin resulting in strong to severe wind gusts and flash flooding for these areas during the early morning of September 16th.
Flash Flood — May 12, 2023
A cold front and ejecting shortwave trough resulted in widespread afternoon strong to severe thunderstorms resulting in large hail and strong winds. Additionally, flash flooding due to slow-moving and training thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Oct 3, 2023
Continuing with the anomalously deep trough and strong wind shear across the southern Great Plains during this late season event. This day was marked by numerous supercells across the Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos. One supercell impacted the Midland area with large hail and a localized dust storm.
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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell 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.