Flooding in Houston WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Flooding isn’t just an occasional concern in Houston—it’s a reality that residents across the city face more frequently each year. As one of the flattest major cities in the U.S., Houston is naturally prone to water pooling during heavy rains. Add to that a fast-growing population, sprawling development, and thousands of square miles of concrete and asphalt, and the risk rises sharply. Much of Houston’s natural floodplains and wetlands have been paved over, leaving water with fewer places to go. Studies show that as of today, over 186,000 homes in Houston are at risk of flooding, which makes it important for residents to buy private flood insurance in Houston, TX.

Flood Zones in Houston

Houston and Harris County encompass a variety of flood zones as designated by FEMA. High-risk areas, such as Zones AE and VE, are more susceptible to flooding and may require flood insurance, especially for properties with federally backed mortgages. Even areas classified as Zone X, considered moderate-to-low risk, have reported flood incidents. In fact, FEMA data indicates that approximately 40% of flood insurance claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.​