Enter any address in Winkler County, Texas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Winkler County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flash flood events and 1 flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding on October 13, 2018, and June 16, 2018, both associated with tropical moisture and atmospheric conditions conducive to severe thunderstorms.
Residents in areas with higher flood risk, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or located in zones designated for moderate to high flood risk by FEMA, should pay the most attention to flood preparedness.
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.
Winkler County, Texas has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 1 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 | 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 | Jun 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 13, 2018 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2015 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Sep 24, 2014 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2014 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2014 | 0.20K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 25, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 8, 2007 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2007 | 20.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2018
There was an upper level trough moving across the southwest United States. Moisture from the remains of a tropical system was across southeast New Mexico and West Texas and good lift was over the region. Also, decent instability and wind shear were across the area. These conditions resulted in thunderstorms with strong winds and flash flooding across West Texas.
Flash Flood — Oct 13, 2018
A tropical depression had made landfall over Baja, California and was moving across northern Mexico within upper level southwest winds. A cold front was moving across West Texas. An abundance of moisture was present, and upper level lift increased across the region during the evening and overnight of October 12th as the tropical depression came closer. These conditions resulted in hail, strong ...
Flash Flood — Oct 8, 2015
An upper level low was over southern Arizona moving southward, and 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. These conditions contributed to severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds as well as flash flooding developing across the area. Thunderstorms incr...
Flood — Sep 24, 2014
The region was under an upper ridge centered across the four corners region and a trough over the Upper Midwest. The upper flow pattern was allowing for upper level disturbances to move over the area bringing chances of thunderstorms. Parts of the region remained saturated with significant rainfall falling over parts of the Permian Basin and Trans Pecos the previous days.
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 ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Winkler 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 Winkler 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.