Floodplain

What is a Floodplain?

A floodplain is any land area susceptible to being inundated by flood waters from any sources:

  • A river or stream channel up to natural banks
  • Low-lying area along a river, stream, or coast subject to flooding
  • Area along a river, stream, or coast subject to flooding by the 1% chance flood
  • Area along a river, stream, or coast that is developed and subject to flooding

Reminder

Turn around, don't drown. If you see water on the road, be safe and take a different route.

Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
Turn Around. Don't Drown!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a 100-year flood event?
  2. Are you in the floodplain?
  3. Do you need flood insurance?
  4. What is Your Risk of Flooding?
  5. Can You Build in the Floodplain?
  6. What can't be done in the floodplain?

1. What is a 100-year flood event?

A 100-year flood is a flood with a 1% or 1/100 chance of occurring in any given year. This is not to be confused with the idea that a 100-year flood event only happens once every 100 years. In fact, a 100-year flood event can occur multiple times within the year.

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2. Are you in the floodplain?

Everyone is in a floodplain. What you really want to know is if you are in a high-risk zone. The high-risk zones are mainly A and AE. The lowest risk zone is X. Visit Bexar Flood Facts to view your flood map.    
Bexar Flood Facts Online Resource 

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3. Do you need flood insurance?

Bexar County does not require flood insurance. However, we recommend you speak to your insurance agent and go to Floodsmart.gov to get more information.   Floodsmart.gov 

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4. What is Your Risk of Flooding?

There are many factors in finding your risk of flooding. Those include:

  • Flood-zone location
  • Home elevation
  • Location of mechanical equipment (A/C, generator, etc.)
  • Mother nature!
  • Site grading

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5. Can You Build in the Floodplain?

Yes, however, there are numerous requirements that must be met and a permit must also be obtained. Visit the Public Works permits page to get your permit.   Public Works Flood Development Permits Page 

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6. What can't be done in the floodplain?

The following actions can't take place in the floodplain:

  1. Fill in the floodplain
  2. Build/construct without a permit
  3. Any ground modifications including grading and excavating
  4. Store hazardous materials including floatables (objects that can float away during a flood), tires, chemicals, and stockpiles of sediment, gravel, etc.

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