FloodMaps

County · Flood Risk

FloodMaps

Get a detailed flood report of any Houston property

Quick Facts

SFHA Coverage

~18%

Concentrated along Trinity River and San Jacinto River floodplains

Harvey Claims Filed

~6,500

Severe flooding from Trinity River and San Jacinto River overflow

Active Flood Gauges

10+

Monitored by Trinity River Authority, San Jacinto River Authority, and USGS

Primary Watersheds

Trinity River, San Jacinto River, Old River

Two major Texas rivers converge in Liberty County

Municipalities

Liberty, Dayton, Cleveland, Daisetta

Rural county with small-town communities along river corridors

Infrastructure

River authority improvements

San Jacinto River Authority and Trinity River Authority flood control projects

Frequently Asked

Do Liberty County homeowners need flood insurance?

Yes, if your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (zones AE, A) and you carry a federally backed mortgage. About 18% of Liberty County is in high-risk zones, concentrated along the Trinity River and San Jacinto River floodplains. Annual premiums under NFIP Risk Rating 2.0 typically range from $400 to $2,000 given the county's rural character.

Has Liberty County invested in flood infrastructure since Harvey?

Modestly. Liberty County relies primarily on the Trinity River Authority and San Jacinto River Authority for flood control improvements. Projects include channel maintenance, bridge and culvert upgrades along FM 787 and FM 1008, and levee reinforcement near the Trinity River. The county has also pursued FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for home elevations in repetitive-loss areas.

Will FEMA's 2026 MAAPnext maps change Liberty County flood zones?

Yes. MAAPnext is incorporating updated rainfall models, LiDAR elevation data, and revised river hydrology into new preliminary maps. Properties along the Trinity River near Liberty and the San Jacinto River near Cleveland may see AE zone boundary expansions. Old River communities between the two major rivers could also see zone reclassifications based on backwater flood modeling.

How did Hurricane Harvey affect Liberty County?

Severe flooding. The Trinity River and San Jacinto River both crested at record levels, inundating rural properties and communities along their floodplains. The town of Liberty experienced widespread flooding from Trinity River overflow. Dayton and Cleveland saw damage from San Jacinto River and tributary flooding. The county recorded approximately 6,500 FEMA claims totaling over $500 million.

How do I check if my Liberty County property is in a flood zone?

Search your address on FloodMaps for a free instant lookup showing your official FEMA flood zone designation, ground elevation, and parcel elevation profile. For the full analysis including Trinity River flood depth modeling, Harvey damage records, subsidence data, and an AI-generated risk score, upgrade to a Premium Report starting at $29.

Liberty County is a rural county northeast of Houston where the Trinity River and San Jacinto River converge, encompassing the communities of Liberty, Dayton, Cleveland, and Daisetta. Approximately 18% of the county lies within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, with Zones AE and A concentrated along the two major river floodplains and the Old River corridor between them. The convergence of two of Texas's largest river systems creates significant flood exposure, making property-level elevation and zone data essential for homebuyers and landowners.

FloodMaps combines FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer data with USGS 3DEP LiDAR elevation models, Trinity River Authority and San Jacinto River Authority gauge readings, Hurricane Harvey damage records, and county infrastructure data to deliver a property-specific flood risk assessment. Premium Reports include AI-analyzed risk scores, parcel elevation profiles, subsidence trends, and river flood depth modeling — critical for a county where two major river systems can produce compound flooding events.

Whether you're purchasing a home in Dayton, evaluating rural property near Liberty, or advising clients on Liberty County real estate, understanding flood risk at the address level is essential — especially given the county's exposure to both Trinity River and San Jacinto River flooding during major storm events. Search your address on FloodMaps to get started with a free flood zone lookup.