Newly proposed FEMA maps could add over 200k Harris County homes to at-risk areas, research shows

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Recently released FEMA flood maps were the focus of a Baker Institute conference that explored how the proposal could have major impacts across Harris County.

Earlier this year, FEMA released the proposed maps. On Thursday, several experts spoke at Rice University to explain how the proposal could affect the area.

Experts explained that one key way was the financial stress this could cause.

"This can become a financial trap where you're paying more and more of your insurance as a low-income Houstonian, and you don't know when those prices are going to stop rising," Rice sociology professor James Elliot said.

It's the first time in nearly 20 years the federal agency has updated them. Nothing is official.

However, the draft gives an idea of what could be coming. Experts said it could add almost 200,000 Harris County homes to at-risk areas.

"People need to understand to the area they live in," Baker Institute fellow Ed Emmett said.

If someone is added to the flood plain, experts said it could mean they're required to buy flood insurance. The most recent FEMA data shows that the median flood insurance cost is nearly $780.

"With home ownership, there's going to be a direct effect on federally backed mortgages and people needing to buy insurance for them," Kinder Institute research scientist Stephen Sherman said.

A Kinder Institute preliminary study delved deeper into the proposed impacts in Harris County. Researchers found that the proposed map would add nearly 200 acres to the floodplain.

It would add 36% more single-family homes. Multi-family units would increase by 17% as well.

The report finds that Precinct 3 would see the largest increase, and Precinct 4 would see the largest decrease. Experts said a tool may impact insurance, but it could help neighbors prepare for future storms.

Although some said studies show that may not be the case.

"I don't know if these maps are going to move one family or individual one way or the other one that," Kinder Institute Houston Population Research Center Director Daniel Potter explained. "So much as the lived experience we've been going through."

This proposal is far from a done deal. Experts said FEMA still has to go through many steps, including hearing from neighbors and local officials.

It still may be a few years away from being official. However, experts emphasized that if you see your home in the flood plain in the proposed maps, you should consider buying flood insurance.