Irion County Courthouse · Photo: Caesarscott · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Mertzon
Mertzon isn’t graded for hazard risk: Mertzon has 764 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
What Mertzon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
Hail
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Mertzon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mertzon, from FEMA’s records.
Mertzon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Irion County.The storms Mertzon remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Irion County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Mertzon itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20211 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Irion County
Irion County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mertzon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mertzon archive →Get ready for what Mertzon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Mertzon
Does Mertzon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mertzon since 2021, $13K in all.
Is Mertzon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Irion County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mertzon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mertzon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mertzon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mertzon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.