Enter any address in Newton County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Newton County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 25 flash flood events, in addition to 6 general flood events, 2 tropical storms, and 2 hurricanes. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on April 10, 2024, and May 16, 2024, associated with strong upper-level systems that produced severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, and tornadoes.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $51,955 and an average water depth of 6.0 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw significant payouts, averaging $76,408 with a 6.0-foot water depth, while Zone X_Unshaded properties had a higher average water depth of 19.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and particularly Zone X_Unshaded, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Newton County, Texas has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 30 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Laura | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2020 |
| Tropical Storms Marco And Laura | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 7, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Aug 26, 2020 | 105.00M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 9, 2020 | 2.00M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2019 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2017 | 45.00M (2 deaths) |
Flash Flood — May 6, 2025
A warm front slowly lifted north across the region causing isolated flooding.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2024
An upper trough parked over the region for near a week. Short waves kept traversing the base of the trough for the duration of the event causing several days of unsettled weather. Some days produced severe squall lines with numerous reports of damage.
Flash Flood — Apr 10, 2024
A strong upper low forced a round of severe thunderstorms across the region. Flooding, high wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes occurred in Southeast Texas as a result of this system.
Flash Flood — Apr 23, 2021
A warm front pushed north across Southeast Texas during the 23rd. This produced localized flooding. Additional storms occurred on the 24th as a cold front moved through.
Flash Flood — May 17, 2021
A weak cold front moved into the area and stalled. Areas of heavy rain occurred in Southeast Texas resulting in flooding.
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 Newton 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 Newton 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.