Enter any address in Washington County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding is the dominant flood character in Washington County, TX, with 41 such events recorded by NOAA in the last 30 years, resulting in 5 fatalities. Recent events in January 2024, for example, saw numerous flash floods that inundated homes, necessitated high water rescues, and caused a fatality. Tropical storms have also impacted the county, with 4 events recorded in the same period.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $31,536 and an average water depth of 25 feet. Properties in Zone A also have a significant number of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone X, Zone A, and Zone X_Unshaded should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Texas has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Beryl | Hurricane | Jul 5, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Harvey | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 17, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 29, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 25, 2017 | 150.00M |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2016 | 10.00M (5 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 24, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jun 15, 2015 | — |
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2024
A series of disturbances moved across the area resulting in numerous flash flood events that resulted in the flooding of many homes, extensive high water rescues, and a flood-related fatality.
Flash Flood — Oct 31, 2018
Strong damaging wind gusts and one tornado occurred in association with the passage of a squall line of thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Mar 29, 2018
A line of thunderstorms produced some wind damage, flash flooding and a tornado.
Flash Flood — Aug 27, 2017
Harvey made landfall as a category 4 hurricane near Rockport, Texas during the evening of August 25th. The storm then weakened to a tropical storm and slowed, looping back and tracking over SE Texas then back over the Gulf of Mexico making a second landfall along the Louisiana coast during the early morning hours of August 30th. Over that 5 day period over Southeast Texas TS Harvey produced ca...
Tropical Storm — Aug 25, 2017
Harvey made landfall as a category 4 hurricane near Rockport, Texas during the evening of August 25th. The storm then weakened to a tropical storm and slowed, looping back and tracking over SE Texas then back over the Gulf of Mexico making a second landfall along the Louisiana coast during the early morning hours of August 30th. Over that 5 day period over Southeast Texas TS Harvey produced ca...
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.