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Top Story
Navigating flood protection: How FEMA's draft flood maps could impact insurance requirements in the Lake Houston area

It’s been more than two months since the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Harris County Flood Control District released the long-awaited draft maps highlighting updated flood risks across the region.

While the data is a work in progress, some local homeowners said they 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, known as NFIP.

A before-and-after glimpse of the preliminary maps indicates more Lake Houston-area homes fall within a high- or moderate-risk flood zone, potentially impacting flood insurance requirements for certain residents.

The cost: Annual flood insurance costs vary greatly for Harris County residents—anywhere from $500 to more than $1,000—according to FEMA data.

 
CI Business
Main Street Hub officials celebrate early March opening in Humble

Officials with Main Street Hub celebrated a March 7 opening of the new wine lounge in Downtown Humble, according to a post on the business’s Facebook page.

The details: Main Street Hub, a social space for the community, offers Texas-based wines and beer as well as light bites such as charcuterie boards, as previously reported by Community Impact.

  • Opened March 7

  • 305 E. Main St., Humble

 
City Coverage
Houston makes changes to pay grades for seasonal staff, police and fire trainees

Houston City Council approved changes to the city’s master pay structure May 27, adjusting minimum rate offers for certain jobs. The ordinance passed unanimously without discussion.

What it means: The city added a new pay grade for police and fire cadets. Previously, they were under pay grade 10, which, at minimum, offered around $18 an hour, according to the city’s job classification.

According to the department, the new pay grade would result in a $52,000 annual salary and would be under a new pay grade listed as CDT.

Some background: This comes after the city approved a $832 million contract in 2025, which raised officers’ salaries by 36.5% over the next five years.

The first increase was in July 2025, with a 10% salary increase. The next increase will be in July 2026, with an 8% increase.

 
What You May Have Missed
Harris County election results, Bed Bath & Beyond announcement: 5 trending stories in the Greater Houston area

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from May 25-29.

1. Lamar CISD’s property value growth expected to increase to 4.5% for 2026-27 school year

2. See election results for Harris County judge, district clerk

3. Target, MD Anderson plans included in proposed Manvel mixed-use development

4. All the Crave Cheesecakes announces permanent closure

5. Bed Bath & Beyond to reopen inside four The Container Store locations in the Greater Houston area

 

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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