Blog · October 14, 2026 · Texas
Donley County Flood Zone Map: checking a property's flood zone
Flood zones are set by FEMA, and checking one near Hedley takes a few minutes.
Main page: Donley County, TX GIS & Parcel Viewer (official map link, county facts and neighboring maps).
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Before an offer near Lelia Lake, pull up the Donley County flood zone map: the zone on that map shapes insurance, building rules and resale. In this county guide: the free FEMA tools, what each zone label means, lender insurance rules and how to challenge a map that looks wrong, especially near Howardwick.
Checking the Donley County flood zone map step by step
On ground around Clarendon, start with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center: enter the street address, and choose the dynamic map. Vacant ground around Clarendon can still be found: zoom in from the nearest road and click the spot.
Where the parcel data lives
Begin with the Donley County parcel viewer; it maps each tax parcel in the county, Lelia Lake included. Out toward Lelia Lake, type a street address, an owner's name or a parcel number, and the viewer zooms to the match. For a tract near Clarendon, the parcel card normally shows the owner of record, assessed acreage, a parcel ID and in many cases the last transfer.
Zones on the Donley County flood zone map
Near Howardwick, any A or V zone are Special Flood Hazard Areas, meaning a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. Closer to Howardwick, shaded Zone X marks moderate flood hazard, between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floods; unshaded X is minimal risk.
Neighboring parcel maps
Donley County touches Armstrong County, Briscoe County, Carson County, Collingsworth County, and Gray County; every one of them runs a separate parcel map. Ground near Hedley that runs to the line may be split across two assessors' files, so check the adjacent map too. Out toward Hedley, our state page links each neighboring county map across Texas.
Who handles what
If the acreage or value on a parcel near Hedley looks off belong with the appraisal district, since that office keeps the assessment data. Zoning, permits and septic questions near Lelia Lake are for the local planning and health departments, town or county, depending on location.
How land is described here
Rural deeds near Howardwick are often described by metes and bounds, listing bearings, distances and landmarks. Subdivision lots in Lelia Lake are typically described by lot and block, which is simpler to follow. Write down the legal description for the tract near Clarendon when you talk to a surveyor.
Where the recorded documents are
The map is an index, not the title: deeds, plats and easements for land near Hedley are filed with the County Clerk. Older tracts around Howardwick can trace back through several deeds, and a title company can sort it out on a real sale.
Lining it up with the parcel map
FEMA's map shows zones but not ownership, so open the Donley County parcel viewer next to confirm you have the right parcel near Hedley.
Money questions tied to the zone
With a lot near Hedley, an Elevation Certificate from a surveyor helps: it records the building's elevation against the base flood. Remodeling a house in a zone near Clarendon can trigger elevation rules; check with the county or town building office early.
Using it on a phone
The parcel map usually runs in a mobile browser, which helps when you're standing on land near Hedley, but coverage can be spotty out of town. A printout of the tract near Howardwick is a good backup.
Places you'll see on the map
Clarendon serves as the county seat, which is where the courthouse records live. Smaller places on the map include Hedley, Howardwick, and Lelia Lake, each with its own cluster of lots. Roughly 3,214 people live in this county (Census estimate, 2023) across roughly 927 square miles around Howardwick. Donley County was formed in 1882, which matters when you trace an old farm's title.
What to request from a seller
For a parcel near Howardwick, ask the listing agent about past flood claims before closing; an insurance quote early keeps the budget honest.
Limits of the parcel data
The acreage figure is an assessed number; only a licensed surveyor sets the real boundary on land around Hedley. On ground around Lelia Lake, records update in batches, so a deed recorded last month may not show yet.
Beyond the mapped zones
Creeks and ditches near Clarendon may not have detailed mapping, so ask neighbors about past flooding. Marshy spots near Hedley can limit building too; the National Wetlands Inventory mapper shows mapped wetlands.
Questions about the Donley County flood zone map
Can I see flood zones on the Donley County parcel viewer?
The parcel map near Lelia Lake might show FEMA zones; confirm a lot near Howardwick on FEMA's map either way.
Where do I find the BFE for a lot near Lelia Lake?
For property near Lelia Lake, the BFE is printed in AE zones on FEMA's map, and an Elevation Certificate compares the building to it.
Is flood insurance mandatory near Howardwick?
In and around Hedley, it's typically required only for structures in high-risk zones with federally backed loans, in communities that take part in the NFIP.
How often are flood maps updated for land near Howardwick?
For property near Clarendon, FEMA revises flood maps panel by panel as new studies finish; check the effective date on the panel.
Is there a way to export the map around Lelia Lake?
If the land is near Clarendon, use the print button or a screenshot; downloads of raw data vary by county.
Open the official Donley County, TX parcel map See it in the Platbookmapper directory
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey, especially for fences, setbacks, or boundary disputes.