Look up the FEMA flood zone for an address

Enter a US street address. We match it with the US Census geocoder and read FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer at that point.

A lookup is a map reading, not an official flood determination or an insurance quote.

How to check a Houston flood zone

To check a Houston flood zone, look up the address on FEMA’s map or the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool, which shows the effective FEMA floodplains adopted in June 2007 plus later map revisions. Then look at the MAAPnext draft maps from the Harris County Flood Control District, which preview future floodplains but cannot yet be used for insurance or regulation.

Key takeaways

  • Harris County’s effective FEMA flood insurance rate maps were adopted in June 2007 and amended by later revisions.
  • MAAPnext draft floodplains are not final and cannot be used for insurance or regulatory decisions, but they show where zones may change.
  • Since September 1, 2018, new or substantially improved Houston buildings in the 100- or 500-year floodplain must have the lowest floor at least 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation.
  • Texas sellers must answer flood questions, including flood insurance claims and FEMA assistance, on the Seller’s Disclosure Notice.
~136,000Structures flooded in Harris County during Hurricane Harvey (2017)HCFCD
2007Year Harris County’s effective FEMA maps were adoptedHCFCD
Class 5City of Houston CRS class: 25% NFIP discount in the SFHAFEMA
+2 ftLowest floor above the 500-year flood elevation (Chapter 19)Houston code

Official local flood tools

Harris County Flood Education Mapping ToolEffective 1% and 0.2% floodplains, watersheds and ponding areasMAAPnext interactive draft mapsDraft future floodplains; not for insurance or regulationCity of Houston Floodplain Management OfficeFlood zone questions and elevation certificates on file; 832-394-8854Harris County floodplain permits (unincorporated)Permits and floodplain rules outside city limits

What changed after Harvey

Hurricane Harvey flooded nearly 136,000 structures in Harris County in August 2017, with flooding on nearly all of the county’s 22 watersheds, according to the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). Houston then amended Chapter 19 of its code, effective September 1, 2018, to require new and substantially improved buildings in the 100- or 500-year floodplain to sit at least 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation. For a buyer, a home built or substantially improved after that date in a floodplain should have an elevation certificate showing compliance; ask for it.

Texas flood disclosure

The Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice (Property Code §5.008) asks whether the home is in a 100-year or 500-year floodplain, a floodway or a flood pool, whether it has flooded, whether the seller has filed flood insurance claims and whether they received FEMA or SBA assistance. Compare those answers with the map and the CLUE report.

Community Rating System

NFIP premium discount in the high-risk zone, by community

Miami-Dade County
35%
Houston (city)
25%
Tampa (city)
25%
San Antonio (city)
20%
New York City
Not in CRS
FEMA Community Rating System classes effective April 1, 2025: each class step is a 5% discount on NFIP premiums for policies in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Discounts differ outside it. Source: FEMA CRS eligible communities, April 2025. A newer list may exist.
Time-sensitive: Congress has authorized the National Flood Insurance Program through 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2026. FEMA says that if authorization lapses it continues paying claims but would stop selling and renewing policies, which can delay closings that need flood insurance. Check FEMA’s reauthorization page for the current status.

Other city flood guides

Houston & Harris CountyLocal flood maps, map status and the questions to askNew York CityLocal flood maps, map status and the questions to askSan Antonio & Bexar CountyLocal flood maps, map status and the questions to askTampa & Hillsborough CountyLocal flood maps, map status and the questions to askMiami & Miami-Dade CountyLocal flood maps, map status and the questions to ask

Questions people ask

Is Houston in a flood zone?

Parts of Houston lie in FEMA high-risk zones along its bayous; much of the city is mapped as moderate or minimal risk. Flooding also happens outside mapped zones, so check the address and ask about flood history either way.

What is MAAPnext?

The Harris County Flood Control District’s program to update the county’s flood maps. Its draft maps are not final and cannot be used for insurance until FEMA adopts new maps.

Do I need flood insurance in Houston outside a flood zone?

Federal law does not require it outside the SFHA, but a lender can. FEMA says about 40% of NFIP claims come from outside high-risk zones, so get a quote.

PropertyDataCheck early access

Buying in Houston?

Send the address for a pre-offer property check: flood zone, recorded ownership, liens and permits for the parcel, with the questions to raise before your contingency ends.

  • Parcel & owner of record matched
  • Liens, permits & flood zone in one place
  • Gaps turned into questions for your team

Any starting point is welcome. Continuing shares your entry with us. Privacy

Early access request. Reports are not available yet.

Sources & method

We start with the agency or statute that governs each rule and link to it directly. Figures carry their source and date. Rules and forms change; confirm the current version with the responsible office or a qualified professional.

  1. Harris County Flood Control District: Hurricane Harvey
  2. Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool: about the data
  3. MAAPnext
  4. City of Houston Code, Chapter 19
  5. Texas Property Code §5.008
  6. FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  7. FEMA CRS eligible communities, April 2025
  8. FEMA: NFIP reauthorization

Reviewed September 25, 2026 by the PropertyDataCheck editorial team. Corrections: info@propertydatacheck.com. How we research and update guides.