County · Flood Risk
FloodMapsGet a detailed flood report of any Houston property
SFHA Coverage
~35%
Highest SFHA percentage among Houston-area counties due to coastal exposure
Harvey Claims Filed
~22,000
Storm surge and riverine flooding affected island and mainland communities
Active Flood Gauges
20+
Monitored by USGS, NOAA tide gauges, and Galveston County
Primary Watersheds
Clear Creek, Dickinson Bayou, Highland Bayou
Coastal bayous drain into Galveston Bay
Municipalities
Galveston, League City, Texas City, Dickinson, La Marque
Mix of island, coastal, and mainland communities
Infrastructure
$1.4B Ike Dike study
Army Corps Coastal Spine project for storm surge protection
Yes, for properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones AE, VE, A, V) with federally backed mortgages. About 35% of Galveston County is in high-risk zones — the highest percentage among Houston-area counties. Coastal VE zones carry the steepest premiums, often $2,500 to $8,000 annually under NFIP Risk Rating 2.0 due to storm surge exposure.
The Army Corps of Engineers' Coastal Spine (Ike Dike) project, a $1.4 billion study, proposes a coastal barrier system from High Island to San Luis Pass to protect Galveston Bay communities from storm surge. Galveston County has also invested in Clear Creek channel improvements and Dickinson Bayou detention projects. Full Coastal Spine construction could begin by 2028.
Significantly. MAAPnext is updating coastal flood maps using new storm surge modeling, sea level rise projections, and LiDAR elevation data. Many Galveston Island and mainland properties may see VE zone expansions or base flood elevation increases. Properties in League City and Dickinson near Clear Creek could also see AE zone boundary shifts based on updated hydrology.
Dickinson was among the hardest hit, receiving over 30 inches of rain with extensive riverine flooding along Dickinson Bayou. League City neighborhoods near Clear Creek saw major damage. Galveston Island experienced moderate surge and wind damage. The county recorded approximately 22,000 FEMA claims, with estimated losses exceeding $1.8 billion across coastal and mainland areas.
Search your address on FloodMaps for a free instant lookup showing your official FEMA flood zone designation, base flood elevation, and ground elevation. For the full analysis including storm surge modeling, Harvey damage records, coastal erosion data, and an AI-generated risk score, upgrade to a Premium Report starting at $29.
Galveston County is the most coastally exposed county in the Greater Houston metro, spanning Galveston Island, the Bolivar Peninsula, and mainland communities including League City, Texas City, Dickinson, and La Marque. Approximately 35% of the county lies within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas — the highest share of any Houston-area county — with Zones VE, AE, and A covering coastal surge zones, bayou floodplains, and low-lying mainland areas. Both storm surge and riverine flooding pose significant risks, making property-level data essential.
FloodMaps combines FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer data with NOAA tide gauge readings, USGS 3DEP LiDAR elevation models, Hurricane Harvey damage records, and Army Corps storm surge modeling to deliver a property-specific flood risk assessment. Premium Reports include AI-analyzed risk scores, parcel elevation profiles, coastal flood depth modeling, and subsidence trends — critical data for a county where elevation differences of a single foot can determine flood outcomes.
Whether you're purchasing a home on Galveston Island, evaluating mainland property in League City, or advising clients on Galveston County real estate, understanding flood risk at the address level is essential in a county facing both hurricane surge and bayou overflow threats. Search your address on FloodMaps to get started with a free flood zone lookup.