Live · Houston
Houston, right now.
Flood alerts, bayou levels and resources across Greater Houston.
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What to do now
First hour
- Shut off power from a dry location, never stand in water to flip breakers. r/HomeImprovement
- Photograph the waterline and every room before you move or discard anything. r/houston
- Pull wet carpet, pad, and mattresses as soon as it is safe. r/houston
- Do not start a flooded car to see if it runs. r/houston
- Never drive into flooded roads or underpasses, depth hides and water can sweep the car. r/houston
- Call your flood insurer the same day you can, open the claim before heavy demo when possible. r/houston
Water in house Cleanup
- Pump out standing water and extract before finish demo when power and structure allow. r/houston
- Cut out wet drywall and wet insulation without delay once documented. r/houston
- Flood-cut drywall high enough to clear the wet zone (often about 2-4 ft), then open the cavity to air. r/HomeImprovement
- Run air movers and dehumidifiers until framing moisture is in range, not just a few box fans. r/houston
- Buy or borrow a moisture meter and check studs before closing walls. r/houston
Mold Mold
- Do not rely on bleach to kill mold inside porous studs, drywall, or insulation. r/houston
- Do not bleach studs and call the cavity clean, remove wet porous material and dry the framing. r/houston
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners while remediating. ABC13
- Do not run HVAC until ducts and the system are checked after contaminated floodwater. UTHealth
- For significant mold, use a TDLR-licensed mold assessor (separate from remediator when required). TDLR
Car Flooded car
- Do not start a flooded car to see if it runs. r/houston
- Check the air filter for moisture before anyone turns the key; if damp, tow, do not start. r/houston
- Photograph the exterior waterline and cabin water height before tow or cleanup. r/houston
- Call comprehensive auto coverage and ask where they want it towed, save tow/storage receipts. r/houston
- Turn Around Don't Drown, especially at Energy Corridor and other below-grade underpasses. r/houston
Claim Claim packet
- Know whether you have NFIP flood coverage vs homeowners, most Houston home policies exclude flood. r/houston
- Build a room-by-room contents inventory with photos, model/serial numbers, and ages/values. r/houston
- Give the adjuster organized evidence packets, not a verbal story. r/houston
- Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance when a declaration exists even if you have insurance. r/houston
- Separate flood claim (flood policy) from wind/roof claim (homeowners), do not mix peril stories. TDI
Hire Hire
- Do not sign large deposits, assignments of benefits, or claim-control papers with door-knockers. r/houston
- Get multiple written estimates; verify insurance, references, and permits before work starts. r/houston
- Be wary of roofers who knock after storms offering to file the claim for you. r/houston
- Check TDLR licensing for mold work before paying. TDLR
- Demand a written scope, equipment log, and moisture readings from water-restoration firms. r/houston
Power CenterPoint
- Shut off power from a dry location, never stand in water to flip breakers. r/HomeImprovement
- Run generators outdoors only, never in a garage, breezeway, or near open windows. r/houston
- Do not run a generator in an area that could flood; move it to high, dry ground first. r/houston
- Replace submerged outlets, breakers, and appliances, do not dry and reuse flooded electrics. r/HomeImprovement
- Use CenterPoint's official outage map, not neighborhood rumor, for restoration status. CenterPoint
Don't
- Don't. Bleach sterilizes flood-soaked studs and porous walls. Bleach does not reliably kill mold in porous wood; remove wet materials and dry framing. r/houston
- Don't. Start the flooded car once to see if it still runs. Cranking can hydrolock the engine; tow and inspect first. r/houston
- Don't. A few household box fans for a day is enough drying in Houston. Need continuous air movers/dehumidification and moisture readings before closing walls. r/houston
- Don't. Homeowners insurance covers Houston bayou flooding. Most homeowners policies exclude flood; you need NFIP or private flood. r/houston
- Don't. FEMA pays your whole rebuild like insurance. FEMA IA is limited assistance and cannot duplicate insurance; still apply when eligible. r/houston
- Don't. Door-knock roofers who handle the claim are doing you a favor. Pressure to sign AOB/claim control is a classic post-storm scam pattern. r/houston
- Don't. Running HVAC immediately after a dirty flood cleans the air. Contaminated ducts can distribute mold and silt, inspect/clean first. UTHealth
- Don't. If gauges look okay on social screenshots, underpasses are safe. Below-grade underpasses flood locally; never drive into water you cannot gauge. r/houston
- Don't. Old Harvey shelter/hotel lists are still valid. Capacity changes hourly; use live Red Cross/Ready Harris/211 only. r/houston
- Don't. Closing walls fast prevents mold. Closing wet walls traps mold; dry to meter readings first. r/HomeImprovement
- Don't. Generators are safe in an open garage. CO collects in garages and near openings, keep outdoors away from the house. r/houston
- Don't. If the air filter looks dry after a flood, it is always safe to start. Dry filter helps but is not a full inspection if water was high. r/houston
Questions Houston asks, answered on video
Hand-picked from Houston newsrooms and official agencies. Tap a question to watch here.
A flood threat is coming tonight. What should you do before bed?
“Before Houston’s flood threat arrives, do these things before going to bed tonight.”
A flood watch has been issued for Houston and much of Southeast Texas as a tropical system likely to become Edouard threatens to bring torrential rain to the region Tuesday. Our newsroom meteorologist Justin Ballard gives us tips on how to prepare ahead of rainfall.
Watch on YouTube ↗What does staying ready for hurricane season actually look like?
“How to Stay Ready for Hurricane Season”
Even with forecasters predicting a quieter hurricane season due to El Niño, historical events prove that a single storm can upend a region. Extreme weather scientist Dr. Hal Needham joins Hello Houston to discuss why breaking preparedness into manageable, everyday habits is the key to tackling storm season anxiety. Hel
Watch on YouTube ↗What do you need to know before the next storm hits Houston?
“KPRC'S 2026 Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide | What You Need to Know Before the Next Storm”
Hurricane season is here. Are you ready? Join the KPRC 2 Weather Team as we break down everything Houston-area families need to know about Hurricane Season 2026, including hurricane preparedness, flood safety, evacuation planning, emergency kits, storm forecasts, and ways to prepare on a budget. Whether you're new to H
Watch on YouTube ↗How do you get storm-ready on a tight budget?
“How people in Houston can prepare for a major storm on a budget”
How to prepare for a major storm on a budget Welcome to the official YouTube channel of KPRC 2 News Houston. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more here on air and online.
Watch on YouTube ↗Did the new FEMA flood maps change whether you need flood insurance?
“Experts explain the importance of flood insurance in wake of new FEMA maps”
New flood maps for Harris County, being proposed by FEMA, were the focus of a conference Thursday. Experts discussed the importance of flood insurance.
Watch on YouTube ↗Why buy flood insurance now, not when a storm is on the way?
“Flood insurance: Why experts say you should buy now”
DO you have flood insurance? Hurricane season is about a month away Welcome to the official YouTube channel of KPRC 2 News Houston. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more here on air and online.
Watch on YouTube ↗Water got into your home. What do you do first?
“First steps if you have water damage”
Do you have to file an insurance claim due to the cold damaging your home? If so, here's what to know Welcome to the official YouTube channel of KPRC 2 News Houston. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more here on air and online.
Watch on YouTube ↗What should you have ready before you apply for FEMA help?
“What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance”
Here's what you will need to know before starting the application. This includes what assistance is available, what documents you will need to provide, and what types of questions you will be asked.
Watch on YouTube ↗
The question on each card is ours. The title, description, channel and date are the video's own. Videos are not endorsements; check official sources before you act.
Check live
- Ready Harris
- HCFWS gauges
- CenterPoint
- Houston 311
- Red Cross finder
- Houston OEM
- 211 Texas
- Addicks / Barker
- Shelter dashboard
Map Neighborhoods, bayous, USGS gauges, and the FEMA flood layer. Not a survey of your lot. Phones, insurance claim help, evacuation maps.
Articles and tools 170 articles
Tools
Phones
Critical Houston flood numbers. Tap to call. Verified lines only.
Insurance claim help
Flood and wind claims, published carrier lines, waterline photos, receipts. No invented menu codes.
Evacuation maps
Hurricane zip zones are not an inland bayou flood plan. Official maps and TranStar.
Houston flood map
Neighborhoods, bayous, USGS gauges, and the official FEMA flood hazard layer. Not a survey.
ZIP / neighborhood triage
Enter a Houston-area ZIP. Get bayou notes, area articles, and live-check links.
Claim packet generator
Room checklist, photo prompts, contents lines. Print or download JSON/CSV.
Contractor scam check
Hard-no patterns plus deep links to TDLR, the Texas AG, and TDI. We do not live-verify licenses.
Do not start that car
Step flow: leave it off, shoot the waterline, open the claim, then tow.
Shelter intake script
Printable questions: pets, accessible beds, intakes tonight, ID. Then verify live.
Debris set-out
How Houston debris piles usually work, plus 311 and county notice links. No invented pickup days.
Mutual-aid board
Curated verify-live channels. No fake Facebook groups. Ready Harris, 211, Red Cross, West Street.
Renter / landlord mode
Toggle checklists and notification templates. Link the renters-landlords articles.
Dry-out timer
A week of drying checks with “call a pro if” gates. Saves on this phone.
FEMA / SBA deadline calendar
Typical reminder math from the dates you enter. Always verify on DisasterAssistance.gov and SBA.
Conditions-changed signup
Email intent form. Official OEM / NWS alerts stay the source of truth.
Houston flood timeline
Fifty years of flood and storm declarations tied to the bayou guides that help this week.
Harris County disaster history
Every federal declaration since 1973, live from OpenFEMA, with individual-aid flags. Past aid is not a promise.
Live bayou gauges
Live USGS stream readings for Houston-area bayous, in your browser. Nothing stored, nothing guessed.
Vet a restoration contractor
Twelve questions, red-flag answers, and a bid comparator. Education, not a referral.
NFIP and FEMA phones
Call order, real numbers, and word-for-word scripts for carrier, NFIP, FEMA, and adjuster calls.
Emergency contractor forms
Boilerplate scope, payment, and sign-off forms. Not legal advice. Get a Texas attorney review.
AI prompts for flood help
Copy-paste prompts for claims, FEMA aid, vetting crews, and cleanup. Each links to the desk article.
Offline / print pack
Who to call, first 24 hours, document before demo. Built for a printer.
Articles
Shelters & evacuation right now
Open shelters, what to grab, pets, intake, and when driving is the worse option.
Who to call right now
911, 311, rescue, CenterPoint, insurance, poison control, and scam lines.
Water extraction & restoration companies
What a crew does on day one, work auths, IICRC, and door-knocker red flags.
Getting water out & drying now
First 24 hours, pumps, drywall, fans, bleach myths, and when to stop DIY.
Mold, sewage & health right after
Black water, PPE, kids with asthma, tetanus, and the crash after adrenaline.
Start your insurance claim today
Claim numbers, NFIP timing, contents lists, ALE, and wind vs flood fights.
FEMA, SBA & disaster aid now
Register, documents, DRCs, duplication of benefits, local aid, and appeals.
Your area flooded, what now
Reservoirs, bayous, downtown streets, apartments, and live flood gauges.
Flooded cars
Do not start it. Water height, towing, titles, transit, company cars, salvage.
Apartments, renters & landlords now
Re-entry, habitability, deposits, upstairs leaks, HOAs, and assisted housing.
Emergency roofing & tarping
Blue tarps tonight, board-up, deposits, slick ladders, and the permanent fix.
Debris & haul-off
City piles, hazardous waste, haulers, donations, dumpsters, and illegal dumping.
Power out, generators & food
CenterPoint, fridge clock, CO, boil-water notices, meds, ice, and dark-house re-entry.
Pets, kids & vulnerable household members
Floodwater and pets, boarding, kids, dialysis, formula, schools, service animals.
Hiring help without getting scammed
Door knockers, licenses, cash deposits, liens, out-of-state crews, fraud reports.
Document damage for claims
Photos before cleanup, inventories, water lines, serials, and reconstructing proof.
Mutual aid & what Houstonians learned
Boats, group chats, food drops, first six hours, language access, thank-you logistics.