Enter any address in Upton County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Upton County, TX. Between 1993 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 39 flash flood events and 1 flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding on October 24, 2025, and April 19, 2025, which were associated with developing weather systems and severe thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall.
Residents with properties located in areas prone to rapid water accumulation, such as low-lying areas or those downstream from higher elevations, should pay close attention to flood risk. Homeowners in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation may also face increased vulnerability.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Upton County, Texas has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 39 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2021)
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 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Extreme Fire Hazards | Fire | Aug 1, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Oct 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2016 | 0.30K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2015 | 35.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2015 | 0.20K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2015 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2010 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2008 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Oct 24, 2025
The same upper-level trough that helped initiate thunderstorms on the 23rd allowed for additional thunderstorm development on the 24th as it continued to approach the region. Initially scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed in West Texas during the morning of the 24th. By the early afternoon, reports of large hail and severe winds were received as these storms marched across the Permian ...
Flash Flood — Apr 19, 2025
A developing low pressure system over the region ahead of a strong shortwave trough resulted in high winds and blowing dust across western portions of the area, with severe weather across the Permian Basin.
Flash Flood — Jun 1, 2016
An upper low over the region, outflow boundaries from thunderstorms the previous night, and a weak cold front that was moving slowly south across the area were the causes of thunderstorm activity across parts of West Texas. The strongest instability and wind shear were located in the Big Bend Region where thunderstorms produced large hail. Moisture content across the area was high and thunder...
Flash Flood — Oct 22, 2015
A strong upper level low pressure area over western Arizona moved slowly eastward. This feature increased upper level lift over West Texas and southeast New Mexico. This upper low was pulling moisture northward into the area from the Gulf of Mexico allowing for precipitable water values to rise to around one inch. Sufficient heating, instability, and high moisture content contributed to seve...
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2010
A cold front in the Davis Mountains and Big Bend region provided a focus for convection to develop. An abundance of moisture across the Trans Pecos and Davis Mountains combined with weak mid-level winds. This resulted in many showers and storms developing over the same region. The slow moving to stationary heavy rain eventually resulted in flash flooding along the Trans Pecos region.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Upton 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 Upton 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.