Guadalupe County, Texas
Environmental Health Department
Flooding In Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County has a number of areas that are susceptible to flooding during
heavy rains. Over 60,000 acres (approximately 13%) of Guadalupe County are
designated as being in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Properties along the
Guadalupe River, Cibolo Creek, Geronimo Creek and a number of other creeks and
tributaries have been particularly susceptible to flooding. Heavy rains in 1932, 1952,
1972, 1973, 1998, 2002 and 2004 caused flooding and damage to buildings in these
areas. However, your property need not be in the SFHA to sustain flood damage.
Clogged drainage courses or localized heavy rains can cause property damage to
even upland structures.
To determine whether or not your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area you
must visit the Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department at 2605 N.
Guadalupe Street in Seguin. Specific questions regarding your property will not be
addressed over the telephone. For general questions about flood hazards in
Guadalupe County, please visit our office or call at 830-303-8858. Our normal office
hours are 7:30 A.M. to Noon and 12:45 P.M. to 4:00P.M., Monday through Friday. If
the property in question lies within the City of Seguin, New Braunfels, Cibolo,
Schertz, Selma, San Marcos or Luling, you will need to contact that city’s public
works department.
Notices to Property Owners in the Special Flood
Hazard Area
Flood Insurance:
Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage. To protect your home
and possessions from flooding, you must purchase flood insurance. Guadalupe
County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The National Flood
Insurance Program offers federally backed flood insurance in communities that
comply with the minimum standards for flood plain management. To get more
specific information about Flood Insurance contact your insurance agent, go to
www.floodsmart.gov or www.fema.gov .
What You Can Do Before A Flood:
-If you do not have Flood Insurance, talk to your insurance agent.
-Always check with the Guadalupe County Environmental Health
Department before you build on, alter, regrade or fill on your property. Permits for
such work are required in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
-To prevent significant flood damage to your building, you can retrofit it.
Retrofitting can take the form of floodproofing the lower portions of the house,
or elevating the house above the base flood elevation. For more information
about retrofitting, look at the resources in FEMA’s online library.
-Do not dump or throw anything into drainage ditches or streams. Grass
clippings, branches and debris can accumulate and plug channels and outfall
structures. Blocked drainage ways cannot efficiently carry water.
-Any driveway connecting to a county right-of-way must be permitted
through the Guadalupe County Road and Bridge Department (also located at
2605 N. Guadalupe St in Seguin). You will then be instructed on the proper
design for your driveway so as to not impede the flow of water through the
drainage ditch.
-Report any drainage ditches or driveway culverts in need of cleaning or
maintenance within the county right-of-way to the Guadalupe County Road and
Bridge department at 830-303-4188. Problems in a state right-of-way can be
reported to the Texas Department of Transportation at 830-379-5362.
What You Can Do During a Flood Watch or Flooding Event:
-Tune into AM 1580 KWED for emergency weather and flooding information.
-If time permits, move valuable possessions to the upper floors or to safe
ground.
-Be prepared to evacuate and if advised to evacuate do so immediately.
-To report local flooding or severe runoff call the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s
Department at 830-379-1224 or dial 911.
-Do not walk or drive through flooded areas. 6 inches of moving floodwater
can knock you off your feet and short out most cars. Less than 2 feet of
moving water can drag vehicles away.
-Be careful of downed power lines and displaced animals in the water,
especially snakes and fire ants.
-Watch your step for debris underfoot, like broken glass.
-Always use flashlights to inspect areas, never matches or open flames
because of the potential for gas leaks.
Notice to Lending Institutions, Real Estate and
Insurance Agents
Specific questions regarding particular properties will not be addressed over the
telephone. The Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department, located at
2605 N. Guadalupe St. in Seguin, can provide you with Flood Insurance Rate Map
information useful in making flood zone determinations for any particular property
in the county. When contacting the Environmental Health Department to obtain
flood zone information, please be prepared to provide the street address and/or
Guadalupe County Appraisal District GeoID. The Guadalupe County
Environmental Health Department’s hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30A.M. to
Noon and 12:45P.M. to 4:00 P.M. You may order Flood Insurance Rate Maps from
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) by calling 1-800-358-9616, or visit
the FEMA Flood Map Store at www.fema.gov/maps/.
Floodplain Regulations
Most work taking place in the Special Flood Hazard Area is carefully regulated and
requires permits from the Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department. If
you have any questions about permits, call the Guadalupe County Environmental
Health Department at 830-303-8858.
Helpful Websites
The following websites may be helpful to people with property in the Special Flood
Hazard Area:
www.co.guadalupe.tx.us and navigate to the Emergency Management Department
www.fema.gov
www.FloodSmart.gov
www.redcross.org
www.disasterhelp.gov