Texas Homeowners Urged to Purchase Flood Insurance Before Hurricane Season

As hurricane season begins on June 1, insurance professionals in Texas are strongly advising homeowners in the Houston area to consider purchasing flood insurance immediately. This comes in response to climate experts, including the World Meteorological Organization, reporting a rise in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events globally. Timely action is crucial to avoid being caught without coverage when storms hit.

Flooding remains a leading natural disaster in the United States, causing estimated annual damages between $18 billion and $23 billion. The Texas Department of Insurance stresses the importance of early preparation, as flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before activation. Homeowners who delay purchasing insurance until a storm nears risk being unprotected.

An important misconception is that flood insurance is only necessary for homes located in designated flood zones. However, data from the National Flood Insurance Program show that about 40% of claims stem from outside high-risk areas. During Hurricane Harvey, an estimated 204,000 to 209,000 homes in Harris County were damaged, with many lacking proper flood insurance.

Standard homeowner policies generally do not cover flood damage, necessitating separate purchase to protect both a home's structure and its contents. Mistie Hinote of the Texas Department of Insurance highlighted the potential financial impact, noting that “one inch of water in your home can cost about $25,000 in damage.” Without flood insurance, homeowners must fund repairs independently.

Authorities caution against relying solely on FEMA aid post-storms, as federal assistance depends on a presidential disaster declaration and averages only $4,000—often insufficient for complete repair work. With hurricane season near, experts urge homeowners to review their insurance policies now to ensure comprehensive protection before Gulf storms develop.