Harris County residents can now see preliminary Federal Emergency Management Agency map data through a new interactive dashboard from FEMA and the Harris County Flood Control District in the first countywide update since 2007.

The big picture: As previously reported by Community Impact, the HCFCD and FEMA originally had planned a map update release in 2022, but the release was delayed repeatedly. The Modeling, Assessment and Awareness Project (MAAPNext) kicked off in 2019 and aims to supplement FEMA maps, while incorporating the data in an interactive, user-friendly dashboard.

Quote of note: “These maps are draft, there will be years of opportunity to review these maps and engage with the process before they are final,” HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said. “We have a lot more work to do, but it is really fulfilling to see that the FEMA maps are showing the progress that we all know is happening.”

The timeline: The estimated timeline provided to commissioners highlighted the maps may not become final until 2028.

Acacia Int’l Grocery Bakery & Halal Meat store manager Ibrahim Ulu confirmed via email the halal meat market has plans to open at the former La Michoacana Meat Market. As of press time the opening date is undetermined as the new location awaits its permitting and final approval process.

What they offer: Per officials, the new location will have the same concept as its South Houston location and offer international grocery items, fresh halal meat, and bakery products. In addition the market will serve hot Turkish food, including doner kebab and similar traditional items, bringing a fresh and authentic dining option to the community, Ulu said.

More Houston-area residents were able to attain a home at the end of 2025 as mortgage rates and home prices eased, according to a report from the Houston Association of Realtors.

The gist: According to HAR’s housing attainability report, 44% of households in the Greater Houston area could afford a median-priced home in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 40% in 2024.

The median home price declined to $337,200, with a monthly mortgage payment being $2,280, compared to $2,490 in 2024. To afford a median-priced home in Houston, households needed to earn at least $91,200 annually, states the report.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Feb. 9-13.

Check this out: Montgomery County Precinct 2 residents will have an opportunity to dispose of their heavy trash March 7-8 during Commissioner Charlie Riley’s Heavy Trash Clean Up Day, according to a Feb. 4 Facebook post.

From 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 7 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 8, residents can bring their heavy trash to 31245 Friendship Drive, Magnolia. Accepted items include batteries, tires and electronics, among others. 

In other news: The Houston Texans are setting up shop in Bridgeland.

The NFL franchise is collaborating with Harris County Precincts 3 and 4 and Howard Hughes Holdings to invest $83 million into a new “Toro District” in Cypress, which will include a new Texans headquarters and training facilities. Harris County commissioners approved the public-private partnership Feb. 12 following a closed-session meeting.

Also of note: A new La La Land Cafe is expected to open in Katy's Meadows Marketplace later this year.