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It’s been more than two months since the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Harris County Flood Control District released long-awaited draft maps highlighting updated flood risks across the region. While the maps are a work in progress, residents are wondering how the changes will impact their bills.

The big picture: FEMA requires all property owners with a federally backed mortgage living in a 100-year floodplain—areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding—to obtain flood insurance through private insurers or the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP.  

Emily Woodell, HCFCD chief external affairs officer, said new insurance requirements won’t take effect until the map is finalized in two to three years. She said HCFCD doesn’t know the exact number of homes now mapped in a floodplain, but there was a “significant expansion in the maps” driven by a 30% increase in rainfall rates.

More details: As for cost, Houston-area insurance agent Jose Medrano said every property is unique, and the map alone no longer determines premiums. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood-related damages, he said. 

The Harris County Flood Control District intends to work with the Texas General Land Office to extend funding deadlines for disaster recovery projects related to Hurricane Harvey, as about half are not on track to meet the timeline, HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen told Commissioners Court May 14.

The overview: According to a May 1 report from the flood control district, six of the 11 Hurricane Harvey recovery projects have an estimated completion date beyond the GLO’s Feb. 28, 2027, deadline.

Petersen said HCFCD will seek a nine-month extension and discuss contingency planning with the GLO. This will not be the first time Harris County asks for more flexibility, as the flood control district previously received a nine-month extension in March 2025, she said. 

Also of note: HCFCD is also working to deliver 17 flood mitigation projects, which aim to build resiliency against future extreme weather events, by a March 31, 2028, deadline. However, at least 12 projects are scheduled to run past the deadline, per the report, some of which extend well into 2029. 

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories across the Greater Houston area from May 11-May 15.

1. NewQuest starts construction on new retail space at The Grand at 249 in Tomball

2. Parisina fabric store opens in The Woodlands area at former Joann location

3. Magnolia ISD OKs construction managers-at-risk for bond projects, land purchase for new high school

4. Houston highlights security, transit preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup

5. Potbelly now serving toasted sandwiches in Conroe

The Texas Supreme Court on May 15 denied Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after the Houston Democrat led his colleagues in a walkout to protest congressional redistricting last summer.

The details: In the court’s majority opinion, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock ruled that because Wu and other House Democrats “voluntarily returned” to the Capitol two weeks after their August departure, it was not necessary for the court to get involved.

The court also rejected a petition by Attorney General Ken Paxton to expel Wu and 12 other Democrats over the walkout, consolidating the two requests in one ruling.

What they're saying: Wu celebrated the ruling in a May 15 statement, saying that "the Constitution does not let a governor erase voters’ choices when their choices are inconvenient to him."

Abbott's office argued the governor's August lawsuit helped end the walkout and said the state was prepared to fight future quorum breaks: "If Democrats abandon their offices again, the governor will bring them right back to the Texas Supreme Court."