Flood Insurance / FEMA Maps

How to Check Your Flood Zone Before Buying in Harris County

FEMA flood maps show which Harris County properties are in high-risk flood zones that require flood insurance if you have a federally backed mortgage.

Harris County Home & Property

The FEMA Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov lets you look up any address and see if it falls in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Properties in an SFHA that have a federally backed loan must carry flood insurance.

Harris County and FEMA are working together on MAAPnext, a major project to update and improve flood maps across the county. Even outside official flood zones, parts of Harris County can flood during heavy rain. Past events — including Hurricane Harvey in 2017 — flooded many homes that were not in mapped flood zones. Ask your insurance agent about the risk before closing.

Source to confirm: FEMA Map Service Center

More Harris County notes

Appraisal District

Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County

The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets the taxable value of every property in the county each year.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead Exemption Can Cut Your Tax Bill in Harris County

Homeowners who live in their Harris County home as their primary residence can get a significant cut in their property tax bill through the homestead exemption.

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Property Tax Protest

You Can Fight Your Appraisal in Harris County

Harris County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value every year — and many do.

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Municipal Utility Districts

What a MUD Is — and Why It Matters in Harris County

Harris County has hundreds of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that provide water, sewer, and drainage to homes outside city limits.

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