Water Damage Restoration in Houston, TX
Houston by the numbers: 98 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 5 freezing nights a year, 12 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Texas insurance rules and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Houston
- Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Houston Flood Record
NOAA has 274 flood and flash flood reports for the 10 counties of the Houston metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 98 separate days; May had the most.
At the Houston 2.1 NNE gauge, September is the wettest month with 6.2 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 11 report days.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 4.2 |
| February | 1 | 3.1 |
| March | 2 | 3.6 |
| April | 7 | 4.3 |
| May | 24 | 5 |
| June | 17 | 5.8 |
| July | 6 | 4.4 |
| August | 8 | 5.7 |
| September | 14 | 6.2 |
| October | 5 | 5 |
| November | 1 | 4.2 |
| December | 6 | 3.9 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County | 56 | 101 |
| Galveston County | 38 | 56 |
| Fort Bend County | 15 | 23 |
| Montgomery County | 15 | 25 |
| Chambers County | 11 | 17 |
| Brazoria County | 9 | 14 |
| Liberty County | 9 | 13 |
| Austin County | 8 | 12 |
| San Jacinto County | 7 | 9 |
| Waller County | 4 | 4 |
Freezing Nights in Houston
Houston averages 5 nights a year at or below 32°F (Houston-Port station). NOAA counted 11 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 10 counties of the Houston metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Storms and Disasters in Houston
The 10 counties of the Houston metro area were named in 12 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- December 28, 2024: Tornado, EF3 (Chambers County)The local fire department initially reported that a car near Smith Point was thrown by a tornado. The survey team found evidence of long track tornado from just east of Smith Point through the Chambers/Jefferson County border.
- May 31, 2024: Hail, 2.75 inch hail (Galveston County)Hail up to baseball sized was collected around the WFO HGX office.
- May 16, 2024: Thunderstorm wind, 104 mph gust (Harris County)Large transmission lines were downed by strong thunderstorm winds as the derecho moved through the area.
- January 24, 2023: Tornado, EF3 (Harris County)This EF3 tornado touched down near El Franco Lee Park east of Brookside Village. The path of damage extended east northeast, then northeast from there, across portions of Southeast Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park and Baytown.
- August 25, 2017: Tropical storm (Liberty County)Slow moving Tropical Storm Harvey produced torrential rainfall across Liberty and Chambers Counties. Major to record flooding occurred along the Trinity River and along numerous creeks and tributaries.
Federal disaster declarations
- March 20, 2025: Pauline Road FireFire, FEMA FM-5573
- July 9, 2024: Hurricane BerylHurricane, FEMA DR-4798
- May 17, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4781
- February 19, 2021: Severe Winter StormsSevere Ice Storm, FEMA DR-4586
- February 14, 2021: Severe Winter StormSevere Ice Storm, FEMA EM-3554
- December 9, 2020: Hurricane LauraHurricane, FEMA DR-4572
- August 24, 2020: Tropical Storms Marco And LauraHurricane, FEMA EM-3540
- July 26, 2020: Hurricane HannaHurricane, FEMA EM-3530
Houston Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Houston (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 1,040,576 housing units, a median build year of 1982, 47% built before 1980, 29% before 1970, 42% owner occupied.
Texas Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Texas law gives an insurer 15 business days to confirm it received a claim and, once it has what it needs, 15 business days to decide whether to pay, extendable by 45 days with a reason (Texas Department of Insurance, claim deadlines).
Claim problems in Texas go to the Texas Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Houston flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Houston
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Houston
The same 24/7 line covers the Houston metro area, including:
- Houston
- Pasadena
- Pearland
- League City
- Conroe
- Sugar Land
- Baytown
- Missouri City
- Texas City
- Fulshear
- Galveston
- Rosenberg
Other Texas city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Houston?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 25 and the median last is February 2 at the Houston-Port station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Does Texas license mold assessment or remediation?
Yes. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses mold assessment and mold remediation, and its rules require contractors doing that work to be licensed (TDLR, mold assessors and remediators FAQ).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, Texas Department of Insurance, claim deadlines, TDLR, mold assessors and remediators FAQ, EPA mold guide.