Hurricane Season Starts June 1: Why Every Harris County Resident Needs Flood Insurance Now
As the official start of hurricane season looms on June 1, Harris County officials are sounding a clear and urgent message: every resident needs flood insurance—regardless of whether they live near a bayou, in a designated floodplain, or on seemingly safe ground.
The Urgency: Why Act Now
Flooding is Harris County’s most frequent and costly natural disaster. During Hurricane Harvey, 68% of flood insurance claims came from homes and structures located outside of the mapped 100-year floodplain, underscoring a critical reality—flooding doesn’t respect lines on a map.
The Harris County Flood Control District emphasizes, “Everyone needs it,” highlighting that even neighborhoods not previously labeled at high risk are vulnerable due to rapid rainfall, overland flooding, clogged storm drains, and outdated floodplain maps.
Adding to the urgency is the 30-day waiting period for most flood insurance policies to take effect. Policies purchased after May 31 will likely not provide protection until after hurricane season is already underway.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Your Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Floods
A common misconception is that standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage—it does not. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA, offers policies specifically for flood damage, covering up to $250,000 for building damage and $100,000 for contents for homeowners, and similar options for renters and businesses.
Without this coverage, residents could be left paying out-of-pocket or relying on limited federal disaster assistance, which often falls far short of recovery needs. For context, from 2019 to 2023, FEMA’s average disaster grant was $3,208, compared to an average NFIP payout of $52,000.
Who Can Get Flood Insurance?
If you live in Harris County—whether within the City of Houston or in one of the 34 participating cities—you are eligible for flood insurance through the NFIP. You don’t need to live in a high-risk flood zone to qualify, and in fact, policies for homes outside the 100-year floodplain are typically more affordable.
You cannot buy NFIP insurance directly from FEMA. Instead, contact your home, renters, or business insurance agent, or call the NFIP Help Center at 800-427-4661. Visit floodsmart.gov/get-insured for more information on getting insured today.
Understanding Your Risk: MAAPnext and the Floodplain Map Overhaul
The county, in partnership with FEMA, has launched MAAPnext, a massive effort to modernize flood risk maps using advanced hydrologic modeling and updated topographic data. As these new maps roll out in phases, many areas previously considered low-risk may be reclassified. Until then, many homeowners may be underestimating their true flood exposure.
Visit harriscountyfemt.org to check if your home is in a current FEMA floodplain, but remember: location alone doesn’t determine risk.
What Flood Insurance Covers
Flood insurance includes:
- Building coverage: Repairs or replacements for structural components like walls, floors, HVAC systems, and large appliances (up to $250,000 for residential).
- Contents coverage: Personal belongings including furniture, electronics, and clothing (up to $100,000).
- Policies for renters and businesses are also available with coverage tailored to their needs
A Community-Wide Call for Resilience
Harris County’s approach is built on three pillars: Readiness. Recovery. Resiliency. Buying flood insurance isn’t just a personal safeguard—it strengthens the entire community by enabling faster recovery, protecting property values, and reducing strain on public resources after disasters.
As storms grow more intense and unpredictable, flood insurance is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
How to Get Started
- Talk to your insurance agent or visit floodsmart.gov
- Check your flood risk: harriscountyfemt.org
- Call NFIP Help Center: 800-427-4661
- Have questions? Email: floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
