FloodMaps

Neighborhood · Flood Risk

FloodMaps

Get a detailed flood report of any Houston property

Quick Facts

MAAPnext 2026 Status

Significant Expansion Expected

Many homes moving from 500-yr to 100-yr floodplain designation

Primary FEMA Zones

  • AE
  • X (Shaded)
  • X

Harvey Impact

Severe

1,500+ FEMA claims filed in 2017

Primary Watershed

Brays Bayou

Drains 127 sq mi through southwest Houston

Est. Flood Insurance Cost

$2,500–$5,000

Based on estimated annual flood insurance premium

Drainage Infrastructure

Brays Bayou channel widening

HCFCD-managed channel expansion and conveyance improvements

Frequently Asked

Are homes in Braeswood Place required to carry flood insurance?

Yes, most are. A large portion of Braeswood Place falls within FEMA Zone AE along the Brays Bayou corridor, requiring flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. MAAPnext 2026 maps are expected to reclassify additional homes from the 500-year to the 100-year floodplain, expanding mandatory coverage areas. Annual premiums range $2,500–$5,000 — among Houston’s highest.

Are Braeswood Place FEMA maps changing significantly?

Yes, dramatically. MAAPnext 2026 is expected to significantly expand the Special Flood Hazard Area in Braeswood Place, reclassifying many properties from the 500-year to the 100-year floodplain along Brays Bayou. Updated rainfall models and channel capacity data drive these changes. Homeowners currently in Zone X (Shaded) should prepare for potential Zone AE reclassification and mandatory insurance requirements.

How badly did Hurricane Harvey flood Braeswood Place?

Severely. Braeswood Place recorded over 1,500 FEMA flood damage claims after Harvey in August 2017, with Brays Bayou overtopping its banks and inundating residential streets with 3–5 feet of water. Many homes had also flooded during the 2015 Memorial Day and 2016 Tax Day events — making Braeswood Place one of Houston’s most repetitive-loss neighborhoods.

What makes Braeswood Place’s flood risk different from other Houston neighborhoods?

Direct bayou frontage and MAAPnext exposure. Braeswood Place borders Brays Bayou, one of Houston’s most flood-prone channels draining 127 square miles. The neighborhood sits in the crosshairs of MAAPnext map updates expanding the 100-year floodplain significantly. The ongoing Brays Bayou channel widening project aims to increase capacity, but construction won’t be completed until 2028.

Is it safe to buy a house in Braeswood Place right now?

It depends on the specific lot and MAAPnext status. Braeswood Place’s flood risk is among Houston’s highest, with many properties facing reclassification into the 100-year floodplain. A FloodMaps report shows your exact elevation relative to Brays Bayou, current and proposed FEMA zone, Harvey damage history, and AI-analyzed risk score before you commit.

Braeswood Place is a sought-after family neighborhood in southwest Harris County, situated directly along the Brays Bayou corridor. With large portions in FEMA Zone AE, additional blocks in Zone X (Shaded), and MAAPnext 2026 expected to significantly expand the 100-year floodplain in this area, property-level flood analysis is critical for any homebuyer evaluating this neighborhood’s combination of strong schools and elevated flood risk.

FloodMaps provides address-level flood risk reports for every property in Braeswood Place, combining FEMA flood zone designations, USGS 3DEP LiDAR elevation data, Brays Bayou proximity and channel capacity analysis, HCFCD widening project data, Hurricane Harvey damage records, subsidence monitoring, and live Houston 311 flood reports. Each report includes base flood elevation comparisons, freeboard calculations, and an AI-powered risk summary.

If you’re considering purchasing a home in Braeswood Place, evaluating your flood insurance costs under MAAPnext reclassification, or want to understand how Brays Bayou channel widening projects affect your specific property, search your address for a comprehensive flood risk analysis — including proposed map changes and data that traditional FEMA flood maps don’t show.