Enter any address in Rains County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Rains County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 17 flash flood events and 4 general flood events. For example, localized flash flooding occurred on May 16, 2020, following rounds of showers and storms. Significant flooding also impacted the region on March 9, 2016, as part of a multi-day severe weather and flood event.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experienced 6 claims with an average payout of $39,757 and an average water depth of 0.5 feet. However, a single claim in Zone UNKNOWN resulted in a higher average payout of $1,900 with an average water depth of 4.0 feet, and one claim in Zone X_SHADED had an average payout of $14,445 with an average water depth of 4.0 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk or shaded zones, should pay close attention to flood preparedness and potential risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rains County, Texas has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| 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 | May 16, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2016 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 9, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 27, 2015 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 27, 2015 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 3, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 3, 2009 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 14, 2007 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 16, 2020
A slow-moving upper level disturbance, with the help of a dry line and a southward-pushing outflow boundary, produced multiple rounds of showers and storms Friday and Saturday. Damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding were the main results, though two brief tornadoes also occurred.
Flood — Jun 13, 2016
An upper level low pressure center trekked east across the area, bringing with it 2 days of shower and thunderstorm activity to North and Central Texas. The heaviest rains occurred across the southeast portions of the region where several locations experienced significant flooding.
Flood — Mar 9, 2016
This was a multi-day severe weather and flood event. It started with a large-scale upper level low pressure system which deepened over the Four-Corners region. Moisture and instability increased in advance of this system. Storms developed along a dry line Monday afternoon, many of which produced severe weather or flash flooding or both. Another area of storms formed ahead of the upper trough ov...
Flood — Dec 27, 2015
A potent storm system brought deadly tornadoes and severe weather to North Texas on the 26th followed by waves of heavy rainfall that resulted in significant flooding across parts of North and Central Texas. Twelve tornadoes were confirmed on the afternoon and evening of the 26th, killing 13 and injuring over 300. The strongest tornado was an EF-4 that struck the Garland and Rowlett areas of D...
Flash Flood — Dec 27, 2015
A potent storm system brought deadly tornadoes and severe weather to North Texas on the 26th followed by waves of heavy rainfall that resulted in significant flooding across parts of North and Central Texas. Twelve tornadoes were confirmed on the afternoon and evening of the 26th, killing 13 and injuring over 300. The strongest tornado was an EF-4 that struck the Garland and Rowlett areas of D...
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 Rains 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 Rains 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.