Enter any address in Orange County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Orange County, TX. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 64 flash flood events, resulting in 10 fatalities, compared to 13 general flood events with 1 fatality. Recent examples include flash flooding on April 29, 2024, following earlier heavy rains, and isolated flooding on June 1, 2024, due to an unstable airmass.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $83,534 and an average water depth of 5.3 feet. Even properties in unshaded and shaded X zones, typically considered moderate to low risk, have seen substantial claim numbers and average payouts exceeding $77,000 and $86,000 respectively, with notable average water depths of 4.6 and 8.1 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in X_SHADED and X_UNSHADED zones, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and those located in areas that have experienced repeated flooding, even after recent rainfall, warrant particular attention.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Orange County, Texas has recorded 77 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 64 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 31 federal disaster declarations, 7 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 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 |
| Tropical Storm Imelda | Flood | Sep 17, 2019 |
| 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 | Apr 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2024
A line of thunderstorms moved across Southeast Texas causing another round of heavy rain and severe weather. This produced more flooding in areas that had not completely drained from rain earlier in the month.
Flash Flood — Jan 25, 2024
A slow moving storm system affected the region with multiple days of heavy rain and a few severe storms.
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2024
A slow moving storm system affected the region with multiple days of heavy rain and a few severe storms.
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 — Jun 11, 2024
A frontal boundary stalled along Interstate 10 with showers and storms occurring along the boundary. Isolated flooding occurred in Southeast Texas as a result.
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 Orange 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 Orange 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.