Enter any address in Sterling County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Sterling County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 13 flash flood events and 4 flood events, with one tropical depression also recorded. For example, heavy rainfall in the Concho River watershed resulted in river flooding near Sterling City on October 22, 2015. Another event on May 26, 2014, brought damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding to the area.
Residents living in or near the Concho River watershed, and those in areas prone to rapid runoff from heavy rainfall, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located in lower-lying areas or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may be at higher risk during significant rain events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sterling County, Texas has recorded 18 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2024)
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 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 7, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 16, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 15, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2005 | — |
Flood — Apr 19, 2025
The combination of a stationary front, surface dryline and an upper level low pressure system to the west resulted in many severe thunderstorms developing on the afternoon and evening along the stationary front on April 19th. Also, moderate to strong instability and strong vertical wind shear helped with the severe storm development. The severe storms produced very large hail and damaging winds...
Flash Flood — Oct 22, 2015
A slow moving cold front and a deep upper trough resulted in isolated severe thunderstorm reports. However, these systems interacted with plenty of moisture and resulted in very heavy rain and several reports of flash flooding across portions of West Central Texas. Very heavy rainfall in the Concho River watershed resulted in river flooding near Sterling City.
Flood — May 26, 2014
A slow moving large upper level low pressure center approached West Central Texas through the period. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed across the area and resulted in damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Apr 7, 2012
A stalled frontal boundary across the Concho Valley and the Big Country, resulted in the development of severe thunderstorms. These storms produced isolated tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail. One of the storms became a long tracked supercell that tracked from north of Sterling City south through Crockett County.
Tropical Depression — Aug 16, 2007
The remnants of Tropical Depression Erin slowly moved through West Central Texas, dropping around 3 to 7 inches of rain across a large portion of the area. Over 9 inches of rain fell near the small town of Roby, TX and rural areas of southeastern Crockett County. Wind gusts to 42 knots (48 mph) and a minimum sea-level pressure of 1007 mb were reported at Junction. Flash flooding closed many roa...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Sterling 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 Sterling 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.