Elevation and Floodplain Surveys in Texas

"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

How Elevation and Floodplain Surveys Protect Texas Properties and Lower Insurance Costs

Flooding is one of the most frequent — and costly — natural disasters in Texas.
From Houston’s coastal plains to the Hill Country’s low valleys, thousands of commercial properties sit in zones that can change with every major storm.

The best defense isn’t luck — it’s data.
Elevation and floodplain surveys provide the precise measurements that keep businesses protected, insurable, and compliant with FEMA and local regulations.

Here’s how these surveys save money, reduce risk, and safeguard investments across Texas.

1. What Is an Elevation and Floodplain Survey?

An elevation certificate, produced through a certified floodplain survey, measures a building’s vertical relationship to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) — the expected water height during a 100-year flood event.

Surveyors record:

• Ground and finished floor elevations.

• Nearby drainage features and flood boundaries.

• Site elevations relative to FEMA maps.

This data determines whether a property lies in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) — directly influencing insurance rates and regulatory requirements.

2. FEMA and Local Floodplain Management

FEMA updates flood maps (known as FIRMs) regularly, changing which properties fall inside high-risk zones.

Surveying provides:

• Real-time elevation data to verify FEMA classifications.

• Documentation for Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) applications.

• Proof of compliance for local floodplain permits.

Developers use this information to design flood-resilient structures that meet both national and municipal standards.

3. Reducing Flood Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies use elevation certificates to set premiums.
If a survey shows that a building sits above FEMA’s base flood level, property owners can significantly reduce or even eliminate flood insurance costs.

Benefits:

• Immediate savings on annual premiums.

• Easier financing and underwriting.

• Increased property marketability.

4. Protecting Lenders and Title Companies

Lenders require elevation surveys to confirm that collateral lies outside high-risk zones — protecting both borrower and investor interests.

Survey data helps by:

• Ensuring accurate flood designations on title policies.

• Reducing lender liability in risk-prone areas.

• Supporting FEMA and NFIP compliance.

5. Designing for Drainage and Flood Resilience

Floodplain data also informs engineering design.
Developers use survey results to design:

• Grading and drainage systems.

• Retention and detention basins.

• Foundation elevations above flood thresholds.

This prevents water pooling, erosion, and long-term damage.

6. Supporting Redevelopment in Flood-Prone Areas

Many older properties were built before FEMA’s modern standards.
A new floodplain survey reveals whether they meet current requirements — a crucial step before redevelopment or refinancing.

Why it matters:

• Identifies structures needing mitigation.

• Allows for compliant redesign or elevation.

• Improves resale and lender approval.

7. Long-Term Risk and Asset Management

Floodplain surveys are not one-time documents.
As FEMA updates maps and cities expand drainage infrastructure, property owners should refresh elevation data every few years.

This ensures ongoing compliance and maintains access to affordable insurance.

Texas weather is unpredictable — but your property protection shouldn’t be.

Through accurate elevation and floodplain surveys, South Texas Surveying helps property owners, developers, and lenders safeguard assets, reduce costs, and build smarter in every flood zone.

When water levels rise, precision keeps you dry.