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All rivers, streams, tributaries, and ditches - regardless of size - have the potential to flood.  In Fort Worth, major sources of flooding include the...

• Clear Fork Trinity River
• West Fork Trinity River
• Mary's Creek, Marine Creek
• Village Creek, Dry Branch Creek
• Big Fossil Creek, Big Bear Creek
• Sycamore Creek
• White's Branch.

Hazardous flooding away from larger creeks and channels is also frequent within the City as stormwater runoff drains from upstream areas toward larger streams and channels.

Flooding in Fort Worth is typically produced by heavy rainfall from frontal type storms that occur during the spring and fall months. Flash floods are the most common type of flooding in Fort Worth. Those flood events can happen near rivers but also in urban areas, mostly inside the 820 loop.

The City continues to provide citizens with additional tools to identify and mitigate flood risk with the goal of protecting people and property from harmful stormwater runoff before, during, and after a flood event.

The Stormwater Management Program

To learn more information, read the documents listed below.

High Water Warning Flashers (HWWS)

	Purposes and Objective The flood warning system in Fort Worth, known as the High-Water Warning System (HWWS), relies on water level measurements made at approximately 55 low-water road crossings throughout the city. Roadside flashers immediately warn drivers of the flood hazard at these flood prone road crossings. View High Water Warning Flasher Locations Map Enhanced Text Alert Rising flood water at these HWWS sites trigger automated alarms which are sent to first responders. First responders place barricades to prevent vehicles from entering flooded streets. Drivers should not go around barricades and drivers should safely turn around when the flashers go off. Weather data, including rainfall measurements prior to flooding, is collected at 39 low-water crossings and 28 weather stations.

The Goals of the Flood Warning System

The Flood Warning System was developed through a Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) grant. The goals of the Flood Warning System project were:

• Improve system reliability
• Expand the gaging network with additional rain gaging sites
• Upgrade data collection and data dissemination (communication tool) software
• Develop a Flood Response Plan(PDF, 211KB)

Check If Your Property Is In a Floodplain or Non-FEMA Risk Area

Find out if your flood risk is low, moderate, or high before the next storm hits, so you can take steps to protect your home or business. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publishes Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) which show the different flood zones that designate the risk.

To find your property, visit the One Address website and/or the Flood Risk Viewer and type in your address. You can also email floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov for assistance in determining flood risks or obtaining documents.

Due to the extensive reported flooding risks citywide outside of FEMA floodplains and the limited resources to help lessen these risks, a policy is necessary to provide city staff and the community with guidance for mapping, communication and regulating local flood risks. A Non-FEMA Flood Risk Area stakeholder working group was formed to help with guidance in forming a policy. For more information visit Non-FEMA Flood Risk Area.

Residents of Fort Worth can obtain flood information concerning flooding, flood maps, mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements, and flood zone determinations from the City of Fort Worth's Transportation & Public Works Department (Stormwater Management Division) located at City Hall or by calling 817-392-6261. 

Digital copies of Elevation Certificates (EC) for some properties are on file and available upon request by emailing floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov. If the City does not have an EC on file and one is needed for insurance or development purposes, you will need to hire a surveyor or engineer to complete it.

Real-time river gauge information is available through the National Weather Service.

Additional Flooding Information

(PDF, 211KB)  Flood Safety Tips

(PDF, 267KB)   Flood Insurance

(PDF, 212KB)      Flood Protection Assistance

The City of Fort Worth's Hazardous Road Overtopping Mitigation (HROM) Program is an ongoing effort to identify hazardous road locations due to flooding, prioritize them, and where feasible, develop solutions to make them safer. The HROM Program was created in response to life-threatening and fatal incidents associated with flooded roads, usually at stream crossings.

Flood Risk Outside of the FEMA Floodplain

While FEMA maps flood risk along major streams and creeks, most reported flooding in Fort Worth actually occurs outside of the FEMA Floodplain, in what the City refers to as “Non-FEMA Flood Risk Areas”. The City has categorized Non-FEMA Flood Risk Areas into two categories. Areas where the City has evaluated the non-FEMA flood risk in detail are called “City Flood Risk Areas” (CFRA), and these will be used to regulate development starting July 15, 2024. In contrast, the non-FEMA areas where the City has less detailed mapping, called “Potential High Water Areas” (PHWA), are used to warn about potential flood risks.

In order to better protect property owners in CFRAs from flood risk, the City is revising the existing Floodplain Provisions Ordinance and Updating the Stormwater Criteria Manual. The CFRA regulations will affect all development activity on less than 1 acre and located in a CFRA. Such development activity will require:

• Elevation of structures two (2) feet above the 100-year flood elevation, and;
• Submission of a certificate from an engineer to document that the development will not cause increased flood risk to neighboring properties.

City Council approved regulation updates on June 11, 2024 and the updated regulations take effect July 15, 2024. A phased rollout of mapping to help communicate flood risk outside of the FEMA Floodplains was performed and the mapping rolled out according to the timeframes below.

Frequently asked questions about City Flood Risk Areas (CFRAs) and Potential High Water Areas (PHWAs) for residents, developers, and engineers:

In the City of Fort Worth, there are more flood insurance policies and claims located outside FEMA floodplains than inside FEMA floodplains.

 

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Flood Risk Letter

2023 Flood Risk Letter Mailed to CFRA property owners and renters.(PDF, 405KB)