Enter any address in Starr County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Starr County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 49 flash flood events, alongside 9 general flood events and 2 tropical storms. Recent examples include widespread flash and areal flooding across the Lower Rio Grande Valley in March 2025, with rainfall totals reaching up to 19 inches. In April 2023, a single thunderstorm caused localized flooding and damage to structures and trees between Rio Grande City and Garciasville.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most frequent claims and the deepest average water depths, with an average of 5.2 feet. Claims in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone UNKNOWN also show significant water depths. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
28 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Starr County, Texas has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 49 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 23 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 (1967–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Hurricane Hanna | Hurricane | Jul 25, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
| Hurricane Alex | Hurricane | Jun 30, 2010 |
| Tropical Storm Alex | Hurricane | Jun 27, 2010 |
| Hurricane Ike | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2022 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2020 | 25.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jul 25, 2020 | 32.50M |
| Flood | May 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 10, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 27, 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms pummeled the Lower Rio Grande Valley, especially during the afternoon and overnight hours of March 27th into early on March 28th, resulting in historic seasonal rainfall and widespread flash and areal flooding across the RGV. Total rainfall ranged from 8 to nearly 19 inches based on trusted observations, with 10 inches or more falling across some of ...
Flood — Nov 12, 2023
A classic El Nino atmospheric setup, which included a robust subtropical jet stream aided by a slow-moving upper level disturbance that moved along the U.S. Mexico border and tapped into the jet, developed a surface coastal low/trough along and east of the Lower Texas coast beginning on November 9th/10th. The situation continued through November 13th before the upper-level system moved east. ...
Flood — Apr 10, 2023
One lone thunderstorm travelled across southern Starr County the afternoon of April 10th. Social media pictures showed damage to a few sheds with metal roofs, a large metal structure, and a couple of large tree branches that were snapped between Rio Grande City and Garciasville. There was also a report of flooding in the Las Lomas area near John & Olive Hinojosa Elementary School.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2022
A strong 500mb shortwave aided in the development of two thunderstorm complexes that impacted Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley on May 23rd and 24th. The first complex began shortly after 6 PM in Zapata County and inched southeastward across the region before becoming nearly stationary in Cameron and Willacy Counties around 2 AM on the morning of the 24th. This lead to numerous reports...
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2021
An elongated surface trough slowly moved through south Texas on June 3rd, with ample Gulf moisture in place across the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This allowed for thunderstorms to develop, leading to heavy rain falling across portions of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, focused on Starr and Hidalgo County near the river. Eventually, enough rain fell to cause flash flooding and street flooding across ...
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 Starr 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 Starr 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.