Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy rain for several hours or days that saturate the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

Most stream flooding areas have been mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); however, not all flood-prone areas, areas with poor drainage, or localized street flooding have been mapped. Your property may never have been flooded or may be shown on the FEMA maps to be outside the mapped limits of flooding.

Most areas of the city have not seen the record 100-year flood event, which is the 1% chance of occurring in any given year. There is no guarantee your property will never flood. Statistics show that the 1% annual chance flood has approximately a 30% chance of occurring over a 30-year mortgage period.

For those living outside the SFHA, flooding is still possible. Approximately 30% of all flood claims occur outside the SFHA in areas considered minimal to moderate flooding. This overwhelmingly indicates everyone should have flood insurance, which is not covered under a standard homeowners policy.

The Citizens of Benbrook can obtain flood information concerning flooding, flood maps, mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements, flood insurance requirements and inquiries, and flood zone determinations from the City of Benbrook's Community Development Department located at City Hall at 911 Winscott Road, or by calling (817) 249-3000.

Elevation Certificates of certain properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are also available and on file at the Community Development Department and copies are available upon request.