The project will improve the understanding of the risk of flooding in Harris County so that the public, local communities and emergency managers can make informed decisions to protect life and property that may be at risk during flood events.

The Harris County Flood Control District and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are partnering on a flood hazard assessment project that will use the latest available technology and data to produce the county’s most comprehensive and complete set of flood hazard maps and information.

New Methodologies and Technologoies

Using new methodologies and technologies and the most granular data available, the Flood Control District will provide a better understanding of flood risks throughout Harris County, including previously unmapped urban flooding.

New Data

Other new data and information that will be utilized include updated terrain data and improved hydrologic and hydraulic modeling technology and methods.

Results That Impact Future Planning

The Flood Control District expects many changes to be reflected in the resulting flood risk maps that will impact how future projects, new development, and their associated mitigation strategies are implemented.

“Build Houston Forward (ReBuild Houston) is the city’s program to enhance, improve and maintain our streets and drainage systems without accruing additional debt.Houston is a unique place with a unique set of needs to keep the city flowing, growing and moving. First, Houston’s weather and soil structure make all our streets especially prone to potholes. Then add a Houston-sized number of large trucks hauling massive loads that also cause extra wear and tear on local roads. Finally, Houston is the only city of its size with no zoning. This makes planning drainage, especially during heavy storms, a challenge.”

The purpose of the Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Education Mapping Tool is to provide information about the boundaries of mapped floodplains in Harris County relative to residences, businesses and other structures. Floodplains are officially delineated on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) for Harris County. While the floodplains shown on the Flood Education Mapping Tool are the floodplains delineated on the FIRM, the Flood Education Mapping Tool is not the effective FIRM.

The Flood Education Mapping Tool was initially developed as a mapping tool for the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP), which was launched shortly after Tropical Storm Allison struck Harris County in June 2001. Its purpose was to serve as a tool for Harris County residents to learn the location of their properties in relation to mapped 1 percent (100-year), 0.2 percent (500-year) and coastal floodplains. The Flood Education Mapping Tool includes regularly-updated floodplain information from the FIRM for Harris County, interactive legend options, a simple map display and easy map navigation.

The Texas Water Development Board has a useful page detailing the Region 6 San Jacinto Flood Planning Region.

The Texas Water Development Board Flood Planning Flood Programs page is a great repository with information on all of their existing programs.