Enter any address in Swisher County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Swisher County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 15 recorded flash flood events, significantly more than general flood events. For example, on July 27, 2020, training thunderstorms produced flash flooding in and around Tulia, causing a vehicle to stall on Interstate 27. Earlier, on June 3, 2023, slow-moving storms with intense rainfall rates also led to flash flooding conditions.
While most flood insurance claims in Swisher County have been in Zone X, indicating areas with reduced flood risk, these claims still resulted in average payouts of $9,064 for an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, particularly those near drainage paths or in low-lying areas, should remain aware of potential flash flood risks, even if not in a high-risk flood zone.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Swisher County, Texas has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2021)
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 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Apr 21, 2007 |
| 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 | Apr 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 8, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 14, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 23, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed again on the afternoon of the 23rd in the absence of meaningful large scale forcing for ascent. Moisture in the lowest levels of the atmosphere continued to increase through the day resulting in a very unstable atmosphere by mid-afternoon. Veering of relatively weak winds through the atmospheric column resulted in organization of thunderstorms which were able t...
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
During the afternoon and evening hours of the fifth, an intense supercell thunderstorm moved over the South Plains region of West Texas, producing several tornadoes over portions of Cochran, Hockley, and Lubbock Counties. This thunderstorm also produced widespread damage from very strong straight-line winds and large hail across western and southwestern portions of the City of Lubbock (Lubbock ...
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2023
Upslope flow and weak surface convergence along a dryline near the Texas/New Mexico state line allowed for scattered thunderstorms to develop late in the afternoon into the evening on the third. Weak mid level winds and a moist atmosphere created a favorable environment for efficient rainfall producing storms. While the storms did produce some large hail and damaging wind gusts, the primary thr...
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2020
On the afternoon of the 27th, scattered thunderstorms developed along a weak cold frontal boundary across the extreme southern Texas Panhandle. These storms brought intense rainfall but were relatively quick moving. However, training of storms occurred in and around Tulia (Swisher County) which resulted in flash flooding. One vehicle stalled out along Interstate 27 near Tulia.
Flash Flood — May 7, 2019
By 1400 CST on the seventh, another consecutive day of severe weather was underway across the South Plains of West Texas. A dryline mixed into West Texas and stalled around the US Highway 385 corridor. Discrete supercells developed along the entire dryline through the South Plains. Fortunately, many of these thunderstorms did not produce severe hail. The strongest thunderstorm of the day initia...
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 Swisher 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 Swisher 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.