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:

  • Chigger Creek
  • Clear Creek
  • Cowards Creek
  • 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 Harris County Flood Warning System consists of 188 rain gauges placed in different areas of the county. These gauges monitor rain levels at different intervals ranging from the past 15 minutes to one year. Users can sign up for real-time alerts on the site and can also view inundation maps from Friendswood’s biggest flooding events such as Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017. The following gauges are located in or near the city of Friendswood:   

  1. Site 105:  Mary’s Creek @ Winding Road
  2. Site 110:  Clear Creek @ I-45
  3. Site 115:  Cowart Creek @ Baker Road
  4. Site 120:  Clear Creek @ FM 528
  5. Site 125:  Chigger Creek @ Windsong Lane
  6. Site 130:  Clear Creek @ Bay Area Blvd.
  7. Site 135:  Clear Creek @ FM 2351
  8. Site 145:  Clear Creek @ FM 1959
  9. Site 150:  Clear Creek @ Country Club Drive
  10. Site 5100:  Chigger Creek @ South Friendswood Drive
  11. Site 5150: Cowarts Creek @ West Castlewood Drive
  12. Site 5050: Friendswood Weather Station

A property’s risk of flooding may depend on where it is located relative to these two flooding sources. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are issued by FEMA to identify different levels of flood risks. You can find out your property’s flood risk by searching your address on the City of Friendswood’s Geographic Information System (GIS) map. For homes that were built prior to when the city received its first FEMA flood map, it may be helpful to have access to the historical FIRMs to know what flood zone was in effect at the time of construction. Knowing this information can be critical if there is a dispute with a mortgage lender or insurance agent.  FEMA's Map Service Center is a good resource for both current and historical FEMA flood maps. 

Programs & City Assistance

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.

Contact the City of Friendswood Community Development Department to inquire about 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. The City has compiled List of Financial Assistance Programs (PDF) to help both before and after a major storm event.