Flood Risk
Flooding risk along the Sabine River in Newton County
The Sabine River forms Newton County's eastern border, and large parts of the county have documented flood risk that affects property buyers and homeowners.
Newton County has a lot of low-lying land along the Sabine River and its creeks. The county had serious flooding in 2015 and 2016, and again during Hurricane Harvey. FEMA finished an updated Flood Insurance Study for Newton County in November 2018. That study sets the official flood zone lines used for insurance and building permits.
Before you buy or build near any creek or river, look up the flood zone for that property. If a home sits in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA — meaning it has a high chance of flooding), you must carry flood insurance if your mortgage is federally backed. You can search any address at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online. The county also has a Floodplain Administrator. Call (409) 379-2691 before you start any new construction near water.
Source to confirm: Newton County — Floodplain Management