Enter any address in Nolan County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Nolan County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 26 flash flood events, compared to 4 general flood events and 1 tropical depression. Recent events include localized flooding in July 2021 due to showers and thunderstorms, and damaging winds and hail associated with severe storms in September 2023.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen the highest number of NFIP claims (27) with an average payout of $28,317 and an average water depth of 0.8 feet, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone Unknown also show a significant number of claims (11) with an average payout of $88,107 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. While Zone X has fewer claims (6), these have a higher average payout of $57,300 and a notable average water depth of 4.0 feet, indicating potential for significant damage even in areas with lower claim frequency.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Nolan County, Texas has recorded 31 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1980–2021)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 10, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 30, 2011 |
| Nolan County Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 11, 2011 |
| White Hat Fire | Fire | Jun 20, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 17, 2018 | 1.10M |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 24, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 18, 2007 | 0.00K |
Flood — Sep 16, 2023
Isolated severe storms produced damaging winds and large hail across portions of the Big Country and Concho Valley.
Flood — Jul 5, 2021
The combination of a weak stationary front and abundant tropical moisture resulted in showers and thunderstorms that produced some localized flooding mainly in San Angelo and Abilene.
Flash Flood — May 3, 2019
On May 1, a very unstable airmass, dryline and a residual outflow boundary combined across the Big Country or the region north of Interstate 20 to trigger a few supercell thunderstorms. These ingredients resulted in two tornado reports and a few hail reports. By May 3, an upper level disturbance moved into West Central Texas and caused more severe storms to develop. These storms produced lar...
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2018
A slow moving upper and surface trough, an abundance of Gulf of Mexico moisture, and remnants of moisture from a dying Pacific tropical cyclone resulted in devastating flash flooding in part of West Central Texas. The town of Sonora along the Dry Devil's Draw was hardest hit by a wall of water and subsequent flash flooding.
Flood — Oct 17, 2018
An upper level low pressure system remained park across Baja California through October 17. This feature interacted with plenty of moisture and resulted in periods of very heavy rain from October 15 through the 17. ||Widespread flooding developed across the area and many lakes and rivers rose above flood stage and resulted in widespread flooding. Millions of dollars of damage was done to roa...
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 Nolan 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 Nolan 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.