The Flood Control District is sharing an important update about FEMA’s MAAPNext floodplain mapping effort and a new tool now available to help Harris County residents explore flood risk information.
First, an important note: this is draft FEMA data
The information currently shown in the MAAPNext viewer is draft floodplain mapping data from FEMA. It is being shared now so communities can begin understanding updated flood risk, but it is still early in FEMA’s process.
At this stage, the draft maps are:
- Not final
- Not regulatory
- Not part of FEMA’s formal public appeal and comment process
This means nothing changes right now related to flood insurance requirements, development rules, or permitting.
There will be multiple opportunities for the public to provide feedback later in FEMA’s process, including public meetings and a formal appeal and comment period once FEMA releases preliminary maps. In the meantime, the Flood Control District will gather feedback and share it with FEMA.
A new flood risk viewer is now available
To support transparency and make FEMA’s draft information easier to access and understand, the Flood Control District has launched a public-friendly online map viewer where residents can:
- View flood risk information for their area
- Compare current effective floodplain maps with FEMA’s draft updated maps
- Explore the information in a clearer, easier-to-use format
The viewer is available here.
What is MAAPNext?
MAAPNext is a FEMA-led initiative supported by the Flood Control District to provide local expertise. The goal is to update Harris County floodplain maps using the latest data, including:
- A more than 30% increase in rainfall rates
- Updated topography
- Advanced modeling
After major storms between 2015 and 2017, including Tax Day, Memorial Day, and Hurricane Harvey, it became clear that older floodplain maps were not fully reflecting flood risk. Thousands of families flooded outside of mapped high-risk areas, and that lived experience is important.
Updated maps help residents, businesses, emergency managers, and local governments better understand risk and make more informed decisions.
Why this matters
Floodplain maps are more than lines on paper. They help shape planning, emergency response, and long-term community resilience. They can also influence flood insurance and building standards once final maps are adopted.
The draft modeling also reflects progress. It includes flood mitigation projects completed or under construction through 2020, and early results show areas where flood risk has decreased due to those investments, including projects funded through the 2018 Bond Program.
What happens next?
FEMA will continue its review process and, at a later stage, release preliminary maps to the public. That release will begin the formal public process, including public meetings and an official appeal and comment period.
The Flood Control District will continue working closely with FEMA, floodplain administrators, and community partners, and will remain committed to helping residents understand the information and participate meaningfully as this process moves forward.
To explore the viewer and learn more, visit www.hcfcd.org/MAAPnext.
We are here to help.