Flood Plain Information

Community Rating System Program (CRS) The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions, meeting the three goals of the CRS: reduce flood damage to insurable property, strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management with measurable progress.

For CRS participating communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted in increments of 5 percent--i.e., a Class 1 community would receive a 45% premium discount, while a Class 9 community would receive a 5% discount. A Class 10 is not participating in the CRS and receives no discount. The CRS classes for local communities are based on 18 creditable activities, organized under four categories: Public Information, Mapping and Regulations, Flood Damage Reduction, and Flood Preparedness.

Benefits for Residents: Residents living in communities participating in the CRS get flood premium discounts. The activities credited by the CRS provide direct benefits to the residents of that community, including: e nhanced public safety, r eduction in damage to property and public infrastructure, a voidance of economic disruption and losses, r eduction of human suffering, and p rotection of the environment.

Flood Risk in Friendswood Friendswood is an inland City, yet it is still affected by storm surge from Galveston Bay and riverine flooding from our four major creeks and their tributaries (Clear Creek, Cowards Creek, Chigger Creek, and Mary’s Creek). Heavy rainstorms produce most of the flood damage. Coastal flooding caused by tropical storms, hurricanes and unusually high tides combined with strong westerly or northwesterly winds also poses a continuing threat to the City. The flat topography of our region is another contributor to flooding, since the flow takes longer time to go through creeks and channels to leave the City. The City of Friendswood is concerned about repetitive flooding and has an active program to help you protect yourself and your property from future flooding. Find your property on the City of Friendswood's GIS Map.

Here are some things you can do:

Check with the City of Friendswood Engineering Department on the extent of past flooding in your area. Department staff can tell you about the causes of repetitive flooding, what the City is doing about it, and what would be an appropriate flood protection level. City staff can visit your property to discuss flood protection alternatives. Click here to see a list of financial assistance programs to help both before and after a major storm event.

Prepare for flooding by doing the following :

-Have Flood Insurance on your property and also on its content.

-Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your house when a flood comes.

-Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go to meet.

-Make a household inventory.

-Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.

-Collect and put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a handy place.

-Develop a disaster response plan.

-Do not drive in flooded areas.

-Low lying areas, choke points such as bridges or narrow creek ways, areas close to the creek, and other areas designated a Special Flood Hazard Areas are more prone to flooding.

-Review the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan.

-Know the advanced warning signals (Sirens) and then turn to radio or television for further information and instruction. Sign up for Code Red and City's email system to receive important notifications.

-Follow the established evacuation routes (FM 518/Friendswood Drive, FM 528/Parkwood Avenue, and FM 2351/Edgewood Drive) when evacuation is called for and prepare by having a weeks worth of supplies for your needs.

-Make sure pets are also a part of you evacuation plan.

- See the Red Cross website for a copy of the brochure: Your family disaster plan

-Get a copy of "Repairing Your Flooded Home" (from FEMA, or visit the Friendswood Library.)

-View this video to learn the appropriate way that flood-damaged debris should be separated for efficient removal after a disaster.

-Consider some permanent flood protection measures.

-Mark your Fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to the floodable areas.

-Elevate your house above flood levels.

-Install a floor drain plug, stand pipe, overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer back up flooding.

Build Responsibly:

All development in the FEMA Floodplain requires a permit per Chapter 34 of the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances Flood Ordinance. Development includes, but is not limited to, all new construction, grading, and paving. Substantially damaged or improved structures, where the cost of repair (regardless of the cause of damage) or improvements equals or exceeds 50% of the buildings market value, also require building permits and elevation certificates, and are held to the same standards as new construction. All ne construction and substantial improvements must be built to two feet above base flood elevation in the FEMA Floodplain. Materials below base flood elevation must be water-resistant, and enclosures can only be used for parking, storage, or access. Before you do any kind of work to your structure in the floodplain, check with the Building Division(281) 996-3201 to see if a permit is needed. Any development in the Floodplain without a permit is illegal, such as constructing berms and any other barriers that divert water onto other properties, and such activities should be reported to the Building Division. Copies of the Texas Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Natural Hazards" in both English and Spanish are available at City Hall and other City-owned buildings.

Some flood protection measures may need a building permit and others may not be safe for your type of building, so be sure to talk to the City of Friendswood Building Department at 281-996-3201.

If your property is not mapped in a Special Flood Hazard Area, you may qualify for a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy.

Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building structure and not the contents. Be sure you have contents coverage.

Get a flood insurance policy. It will help to pay for repairs after a flood and, in some cases, it will help to pay the costs of elevating a substantially damaged building. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover floods. However, because Friendswood participates in the National Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even properties that have been flooded. Because Friendswood participates in the Community Rating System, you will receive a reduction in the insurance premium. For more information on flood insurance, please visit FloodSmart.

Do not wait for the next flood to buy flood insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance program coverage takes effect. Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage.

If you need more information, please contact the City of Friendswood Engineering Department at 281-996-3293 .

Notice for PUBLIC IN GENERAL: The City of Friendswood has available the following Flooding information documents at the Friendswood Library:

-350 Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)

-350 Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (2011)

-350 Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-P-55, (2011)

-350 Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54 (1984)

-350 Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348 (1999)

-480 Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting