Floodplain Information

The City of Seabrook is dedicated to providing residents with a safe environment to live, work, and play. When it comes to the effects of flooding, no one can know too much information. Education and prevention are valuable and proven tools that help communities become resistant to natural disasters.

Regardless of where you live, everyone is at risk for flooding. Now is the perfect time to make sure you are knowledgeable on how to protect yourself and your property for the next major storm.

The tabs to the left have been created to serve as an easy to use source for property owners and citizens in Seabrook in order to increase awareness about flood hazards.

Request Floodplain Information

Need more information? Simply submit a citizen request for Floodplain Information through our Citizen Request Tracker.

Report Storm Damage

If your home suffers flood and/or wind damage during a storm please report it to our Office of Emergency Management so assessment teams can evaluate those locations. 

Before You Build - Development Requirements

All development in the Seabrook floodplain requires a permit per Chapter 38 of the Seabrook Code of Ordinances (revised November 18, 2016). Development includes, but is not limited to, all new construction, filling, grading, and paving. Substantially damaged or improved structures, where the cost of repair (regardless of the cause of damage) or improvements to a structure equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s (Improvement only not land value) market value, also require building permits and elevation certificates and are held to the same standards as new construction. | Read More

Elevation Certificates

Elevation certificates are FEMA forms used to rate a structure for flood insurance purposes. They are also needed by the Seabrook Building Department to verify that a structure has been built in compliance with the floodplain ordinance and other regulations. | Read More

Flood Insurance

Being a coastal community almost entirely surrounded by water, several homes and businesses are required to carry a flood insurance policy. The City of Seabrook stays up-to-date on current flood maps and legislation which can impact flood insurance rates. | Read More

Flood Maps

Flood Insurance Rate Maps are issued by FEMA to identify different levels of flood risks. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps are primarily used for flood insurance purposes, but they also provide a basis for Seabrook to regulate development within those areas. The location of a property relative to certain flood zones indicates what restrictions may be placed on new and substantially improved construction. FEMA’s Flood Insurance and Flood Maps explains the different flood zones. | Read More

Flood Protection Assistance

Citizens can obtain information on flood protection assistance from the Seabrook Building Department. Flood protection assistance may include site-specific flood and flood-related data, data on historical flooding in the neighborhood, and sources for financial assistance. | Read More

Flood Safety & Recovery

Safety is the number one concern when it comes to protecting citizens of Seabrook. In order to be adequately prepared for storm events, citizens need to be made aware of some critical information. It is important to know the difference between a flood WATCH and a flood WARNING. | Read More

Natural & Beneficial Function

Floodplains are a natural component of the Harris / County environment and provide a wide range of benefits to human and natural systems. Understanding and protecting the natural functions of floodplains help reduce flood damage and protect resources. They serve as flood storage and conveyance and reduce flood velocities and flood peaks. Water quality is improved through the soil and vegetation’s ability to filter out nutrients and impurities from runoff and process organic wastes. | Read More

Property Protection

Rather than wait for a flood to occur, you can act now to protect your property from flood damage. Even if you’ve never flooded before, in the life of a 30-year mortgage, there is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood if a property is located in the floodplain. Various retrofitting techniques are available to help minimize flooding such as elevating the building, constructing barriers out of fill or concrete, and flood-proofing to make the building watertight. Because of Seabrook’s susceptibility to hurricanes and other tropical storms, measures that protect against high winds such as storm shutters or reinforced garage doors should also be considered. | Read More

Useful Links & Information

For more information please visit these useful links.