Checking Flood Risk Before You Buy in Austin

Austin has creeks running through many neighborhoods, and some homes sit in or near floodplains. Checking flood risk is a simple step that can save you a lot of trouble.

Look up the maps

• FEMA flood maps show federally mapped flood zones.
• The City of Austin also has floodplain maps, which were updated after newer rainfall data showed larger storms are more common in Central Texas than older maps assumed.
• A home can be outside a FEMA zone and still be inside the city's mapped floodplain.

Read the seller's disclosure

Texas law requires sellers to answer specific flood questions on the seller's disclosure, including whether the home is in a floodplain, whether it has flooded, and whether they have filed flood insurance claims. Read these answers carefully.

Get an insurance quote

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Get a flood insurance quote during your option period, even if the home is outside a mapped zone. Quotes outside high risk zones can be reasonable, and the peace of mind is worth it.

Look at the lot

Notice how the yard slopes, where water would go in a heavy rain, and whether the home sits lower than the street.

Lender requirements

If a home is in a FEMA special flood hazard area and you have a federally backed loan, your lender will require flood insurance.

Flood risk does not have to rule out a home, but it should be part of the decision. If you are considering a home near a creek, let's look at the maps together.