Information for Property Located within Special Flood Hazard Zone (100-year Floodplain)

The City of Pearland has seen many floods over the years, so we're working hard to become more resistant to disasters. 

Using our flood maps and property maps, can help you determine if a portion of your property is in the floodplain of Clear Creek, Cowart Creek, Hickory Slough, Mary's Creek and Corrigan Ditch or one of the smaller streams. 

Pearland's Flood Plains
You can learn more about the flood risk at your property by checking on our Flood Maps online or when you stop by the Library or the Engineering Department (located in the Community Center) at 3523 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas 77581. 

Some of our flood-prone areas are not shown on the flood map because it is due to local storm drainage problems. During heavy rains, slow drainage has been known to cause flooded roads, local ponding, and/or overflowing ditches.

Our worse and most frequent flooding occurs along Clear Creek, but other waterways also rise out of their banks and can flood homes. The last major flood in June, 2001, damaged more than 600 homes. A look back at our history of flooding indicates that the most likely period for flooding is during hurricane season, from May to September, but it can happen at anytime.

Be Flood Safe!
Floodwaters can be dangerous. They can flow very fast even if shallow, and can carry floating trees and debris. Keep children out of floodwater, especially where they can be sucked into culverts and storm drains. Just 18" of water can float a car, and most people who die in floods are trapped in flooded cars. If your home or business is in the floodplain, you need to think ahead about what to do the next time a big flood is predicted. For safety's sake, you may be advised to evacuate. Learn now how to turn off your electricity safely and which roads are flood-prone. The Pearland Emergency Services office operates an automatic telephone messaging system to contact people in whole neighborhoods if flooding is predicted. Local flood warnings are carried by Houston television stations and 740AM radio.

Flood insurance protects you! Call your insurance agent to learn more. 
If your home or business is in the floodplain or an area where stormwater collects, we urge you to buy flood insurance. Flood damage is not covered by your standard property insurance policy or your renter's policy. Some mortgages require you to buy flood insurance, but you can buy a policy even if your lender doesn't require it. Most insurance agents can sell you a policy. This important financial protection can pay for cleanup costs and to repair damage to your building. Be sure to ask about coverage to help replace your personal belongings or building contents.  There is a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect- don't wait for the next storm to protect your family.

Just because you haven't had flood damage in the past doesn't mean you will be safe the next time the water rises. Don't make a big mistake and think that disaster assistance or federal loans will be your best solution. The average flood insurance policy for $100,000 coverage costs about $500 each year ($42 a month). Disaster assistance grant average less than $6,000, which certainly is not enough to clean up or repair after a big flood. More importantly, repaying the average federal loan costs about $300 per month or about $3,600 each year for 10 years!

Elevation Certificate
The Elevation Certificate, prepared by a registered engineer or land surveyor, is an important piece of paper. If your home was built after Pearland started issuing floodplain permits, your builder should have prepared a certificate. The City has some certificates on file; call the Engineering Department at 281.652.1637 to see if one is available for your house. For new buildings, the certificate is used to show that your building complies with the regulations and is  required to get a flood insurance policy. For older buildings that just happen to be elevated above the predicted flood level, the Elevation Certificate may help you get lower cost insurance.

Act now to protect your property
It's always good to protect your property before the next flood. Call the City's Floodplain Administrator to ask for a site visit to discuss flood hazards and what you can do to reduce future damage. Depending on the severity of flooding, you might be able to retrofit some aspects of your house. or take a simple, permanent step such as raising your heat pump on an elevated platform. At a minimum, know how to turn off the electricity and be ready to move valuable furniture, carpets, and small appliances. Some materials to help you consider flood protection can be found in the Library. Learn more at FEMA's Web site and order a free copy of "Repairing Your Flooded Home" from the American Red Cross and check for clean-up tips on redcross.org.

After a flood
Sometimes the hard lessons are learned after a flood. If your home or business is damaged, you may be required to get a permit. If repairs cost more than 50 percent of the market value of your home you will be required to bring the building "into compliance" with the floodplain regulations. This could mean elevating the building on a higher foundation or other measures to satisfy the rules. If you experience major flood damage and are covered by flood insurance, in addition to the regular insurance payment you may be eligible for up to $30,000 more. This money is to pay for property protection and compliance. Be sure to call the City for a damage estimate and remember: to qualify for this money you must get a permit.

Flood Plains Make Good Open Space
Creeks and drainage ditches naturally want to flood. That's why it makes sense to keep development away from waterways so that floodplains can function as nature intended. Anyone thinking about building in a floodplain should consider locating back from the waterway to leave the floodplain open. Subdivisions can be laid out to leave the floodway as neighborhood open space. Any development that involves bringing fill dirt into the floodplain must also include an equal amount of "compensating" removal of earth in order to keep the flood level from increasing. Many wetlands are found in floodplains and have many types of plants and wildlife. A permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required to alter a wetland. Call the City's Floodplain Administrator to discuss the best way to minimize impacts on our floodplains.

Development permit required for floodplain activity
A permit is required to do any of the following in a floodplain: build, rebuild, bring in fill dirt, re-grade the land, excavate, add on to or improve your home or business, place a manufactured or mobile home unit, install an underground or above-ground tank, subdivide land, and place accessory buildings and temporary structures. New and improved buildings and additions, including manufactured homes, must be elevated above the predicted flood level. Buildings that are damaged more than 50 percent of their market value - whether the damage is due to flood, fire, wind or other cause - must be made compliant with the City's floodplain management requirements. Before you start any activity that requires a permit, stop by or call the Floodplain Administrator to find out if you're in a floodplain. Failure to get a permit is a violation and citations, fines, and legal action will be taken against people who do not get a permit before they start building. Check with the City to see if someone who is working in the floodplain has a permit.

Protect our drainage
Our creeks, ditches, gutters, and stormwater ponds must be clean and open so that water can move downstream. Do not dump or throw anything into them, including grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, or trash. Dumping is a violation of State Law and should be reported to the Fire Marshal's Office by calling 281.652.1950.