Enter any address in Wheeler County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood concern in Wheeler County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 15 flash flood events and 4 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 2, 2023, and general flooding on June 2, 2024, both associated with heavy rainfall from thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced claims. One claim in Zone A resulted in an average payout of $29,964 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those in areas designated as Zone A.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wheeler County, Texas has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Magic City Fire | Fire | Apr 4, 2009 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat | Fire | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Rita | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2013 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2003 | — |
Flood — Jun 2, 2024
The beginning of June started out with some abundant moisture, throughout the atmosphere and surface, which led to an unstable environment. A few different upper-level disturbances and surface boundaries (i.e., dryline) help to bring about some thunderstorms that became severe across the combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles the first through the third. These severe storms brought instances o...
Flood — Aug 13, 2023
The combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles saw quite a bit of moisture return to the area going into the 12th. On both the 12th and the 13th, the combined Panhandles saw widespread rain and thunderstorms across the area. On the 12th some of the storms produced hail up to the size of nickels. Strong winds upwards of 73 mph were measured and several reports of wind damage were made. On the 13th t...
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2023
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms the 2nd through the 4th brought high winds, flooding, and some landspout tornadoes to the combined Panhandles. June 2nd brought high winds and flooding to both the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle. The moisture continued into the 3rd and 4th but with slower moving storms and residual outflow boundaries from the 2nd storms produced heavy long lasting rainfall, as wel...
Flood — Jul 23, 2020
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon across the Texas Panhandle within a moist, moderately unstable but poorly sheared atmosphere. Some of the slow-moving storms produced heavy rains, leading to localized flooding.
Flash Flood — May 23, 2015
Another in a series of overnight thunderstorm complexes brought widespread heavy rain and isolated severe thunderstorm wind gusts to the Texas Panhandle. Heavy rainfall of one to two inches were common with locally higher amounts. This occurred over saturated ground resulting in excessive runoff and ponding.
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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler 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.