Enter any address in Ward County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Ward County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 16 flash flood events and 1 flood event in the county. For example, flash flooding occurred in June 2021 due to an upper-level trough and disturbance over West Texas, combined with a cold front and plentiful moisture. In September 2014, the remnants of Tropical Storm Odile contributed to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those in lower-lying locations or without a designated Base Flood Elevation, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ward County, Texas has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1998–2021)
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 | 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 |
| Tropical Storm Charley | Severe Storm | Aug 22, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2014 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2014 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2004 | — |
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2021
An upper level trough was to the west of Texas. An upper level disturbance attached to the upper trough moved over West Texas and provided additional atmospheric lift. A cold front was in the area along with outflow boundaries from previous thunderstorms. There was plentiful moisture in the area along with instability. These conditions allowed for heavy rain to develop and produce flash floodin...
Flash Flood — Sep 19, 2014
The remains of Tropical Storm Odile were moving across the region as they rotated around the circulation of an upper ridge. A circulation was also located over the central Permian Basin which was allowing rain to move across the same areas. There was plentiful moisture across the area from Odile as well as from tropical storm Polo. Good upper level lift was also present from Odile. Heating ...
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2007
An upper level low pressure system located over northern portions of Mexico in combination with east to southeast surface winds pulling in abundant amounts of Gulf moisture and providing upslope flow, led to the development of showers and thunderstorms across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. |During the overnight hours on early Sunday morning, showers and thunderstorms moved out of north...
Flash Flood — Mar 25, 2007
A strong upper low pushing into western Mexico, along with above normal precipitable water values and good upper level divergence combined for a heavy rain/flash flooding event across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2005
Severe thunderstorms initially developed along the higher terrain of far southwestern Texas during the early afternoon of the 9th. A pair of severe storms moved north across the Rio Grande and resulted in minor hail damage in the southern parts of the west Texas Big Bend.A long-lived supercell thunderstorm affected southern Pecos, northeastern Brewster, and southwestern Terrell Counties during ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Ward 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 Ward 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.