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Every federal disaster in Amarillo since 1953

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Potter County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations
31since 1953
Major disasters
17the most serious kind
Since 2000
18declarations
Most recent
2026Stinky Fire
19531953195419571958195919601960196119631970198019891990199819981999200020012005200520052006200820082008200820102011201120112020202020202020202120212026
Fires (9)Hurricanes and tropical storms (8)Severe storms and tornadoes (5)Floods (3)Winter storms (3)Biological (COVID-19) (3)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Potter County's overall natural hazard risk relatively moderate, led by winter weather, hail and tornado. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

DeclaredEventTypeFEMA number
May 18, 2026Stinky FireFire managementFM-5634
Feb 19, 2021Severe Winter StormsMajor disasterDR-4586
Feb 14, 2021Severe Winter StormEmergencyEM-3554
Mar 25, 2020COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4485
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3458
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3501
Jul 1, 2011WildfiresMajor disasterDR-1999
May 29, 2011Stone Ridge FireFire managementFM-2913
Feb 27, 2011Willow Creek South Fire ComplexFire managementFM-2862
Sep 10, 2008Hurricane IkeEmergencyEM-3294
Aug 29, 2008Hurricane GustavEmergencyEM-3290
Mar 14, 2008WildfiresEmergencyEM-3284
Feb 13, 2008Broadway FireFire managementFM-2743
Jan 11, 2006Extreme Wildfire ThreatMajor disasterDR-1624
Sep 24, 2005Hurricane RitaMajor disasterDR-1606
Sep 21, 2005Hurricane RitaEmergencyEM-3261
Sep 2, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3216
Jan 8, 2001Severe Winter Ice StormMajor disasterDR-1356
Sep 1, 1999Extreme Fire HazardsEmergencyEM-3142
Aug 26, 1998Tropical Storm CharleyMajor disasterDR-1239
Jun 23, 1998FireEmergencyEM-3127
May 19, 1989Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disasterDR-828
Sep 24, 1963Hurricane CindyMajor disasterDR-159
Sep 16, 1961Hurricane CarlaMajor disasterDR-118
Jul 15, 1960Heavy Rains, Hail, Floods & TornadoesMajor disasterDR-103
Jul 8, 1959FloodsMajor disasterDR-93
Jun 6, 1958Tornadoes, Rain, Hail & FloodsMajor disasterDR-85
Apr 29, 1957Hurricane, Rain, Wind, Hail & FloodsMajor disasterDR-72
Jul 1, 1954FloodMajor disasterDR-18
Jun 19, 1953FloodMajor disasterDR-9
May 15, 1953Tornado & Heavy RainfallMajor disasterDR-2

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has Amarillo had?

Since 1953, the federal government has issued 31 disaster or emergency declarations covering Potter County, including 17 major disaster declarations. 18 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in Amarillo?

Stinky Fire (Fire management, declared May 18, 2026).

What kinds of disasters hit Amarillo most often?

By FEMA incident type: fire (9), hurricane (8), flood (3) and severe storm (3).

New to Amarillo? The city profile covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Potter County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.