After a Storm: Water Damage Guide for Brazoria County
Storm water inside? Get connected with a restoration pro, fast.
(979) 457-1255Phone line open 24/7
A local guide to preparing for storm season, returning home safely and handling the first 48 hours of water damage.
- Independent local companies
- Angleton and nearby Brazoria County
- Phone call only, no forms
Before the season
The time to prepare for storm water is June, not the day a storm enters the Gulf. Start by looking up your property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center so you know your flood zone. Then check your insurance. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that standard homeowners policies do not cover flood and that most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, so buying coverage when a storm is already forecast usually comes too late. FEMA FloodSmart describes the same waiting period and its exceptions.
Walk through your home with your phone and record every room, closet and the garage. Open cabinets. Those pictures make a claim far easier if water ever gets in. Store copies of policies and photos somewhere off-site, such as cloud storage.
What recent storms did here
History is not a prediction, but it shows the range of what Brazoria County has seen.
- Harvey, August 2017. The National Weather Service describes major to record flooding on the Brazos and San Bernard rivers, with water over FM 1462, Highway 35 and several county roads. NOAA storm records show FM 523 near SH 288, just north of Angleton, closed by flooding.
- Beryl, July 2024. The NWS impact summary lists 6 to 10 inches of rain across the county, flash flooding, a 3 to 4 foot storm surge on the coast, a 97 mph gust near SH 36 at the Brazos River and widespread tree damage and power loss.
- Claudette, July 1979. NWS records show 42 inches of rain in a single 24-hour period near Alvin, still the record for the contiguous United States.
Who manages drainage
Responsibility is split three ways. The Angleton Drainage District maintains the major outfalls and the Angleton Protection Levee, built 1913 to 1915. Its flood protection plan names five major arteries: Austin, Bastrop, Brushy and Flores bayous and Oyster Creek. Cities maintain storm sewers and roadside ditches inside their limits, and Brazoria County does the same outside them. Report a blocked street ditch to the city or county; the District handles the large channels.
The FEMA flood study for the county adds an important caution: levees in the area have not been shown to protect against the 1%-annual-chance flood, and parts of Angleton see shallow flooding from local drainage. Living behind a levee is not the same as being out of reach of water.
Returning home safely
Go back only when local officials say it is safe. On the way, follow the Turn Around Don’t Drown rule. At the house, the American Red Cross advises checking for structural damage, smelling for gas, staying clear of downed power lines and keeping power off until an electrician says the system is safe if water reached outlets or the panel. Wear boots and gloves; floodwater is contaminated.
The first 48 hours
- Separate water damage from wind damage. Rain driven through a damaged roof or window is different from rising water that came through the door, and insurers treat them differently. Note which is which.
- Photograph before you move anything. Wide shots of each room, close-ups of the water line and damaged items, and the outside of the house.
- Stop further damage where you safely can. Tarp an opening, move belongings to dry areas, and keep receipts for anything you buy.
- Start drying as soon as possible. Wet drywall and flooring left in humid air keep deteriorating. If the power is out, ask the company you call about generator-powered equipment.
The details of each step are on the pages for flood cleanup in Angleton, water removal in Angleton, structural drying in Angleton and water mitigation in Angleton.
Claims: homeowners versus flood
Wind and wind-driven rain are usually homeowners or windstorm claims; rising water is usually a flood claim. The TDI storm and disaster resources cover how to file, how to work with adjusters and how to report problems. Read the Texas water damage insurance guide on this site for a plain-language overview.
When to call
Call once you can safely describe the damage, even if roads are still closed. Angleton Water Damage connects you with an independent restoration company that may serve your ZIP; it will discuss availability and charges directly with you. See all areas near Angleton or visit the contact page.
Small steps that reduce water damage
A few low-cost habits make a difference when a storm arrives. Clear gutters and downspouts so roof water drains away from the slab. Keep storm drains and ditches in front of your property clear of debris. Know where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are. Move valuables, papers and electronics off the floor in rooms that took water before. None of this prevents flooding, but it can limit how much gets wet.
Common questions
Is hurricane damage covered by homeowners or flood insurance?
Often both are involved. Wind and wind-driven rain are typically under homeowners or windstorm coverage; rising water typically needs a flood policy. Your insurer decides.
How soon after a storm should drying start?
As soon as it is safe. The EPA recommends drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
What if the power is out for days?
Document the damage, remove what water you safely can and ask the company you call about generator power for drying equipment.
Where do I check warnings?
The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office issues watches and warnings for Brazoria County.
Sources
Public information used on this page: FEMA Flood Map Service Center; TDI: Flood insurance; FEMA FloodSmart; NWS: Harvey; NOAA Storm Events; NWS: Beryl impact narratives; NWS: Claudette 1979; Angleton Drainage District; ADD flood protection plan; FEMA Flood Insurance Study; American Red Cross; TDI storm resources; NWS Houston/Galveston.
Water damage in Angleton or nearby? Call to get connected.Phone line open 24/7
(979) 457-1255