By Nick Natario
Thursday, May 21, 2026 5:38PM
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Recently released FEMA flood maps were the focus of a Baker Institute conference that explored how the proposal could have major impacts across Harris County.
Earlier this year, FEMA released the proposed maps. On Thursday, several experts spoke at Rice University to explain how the proposal could affect the area.
Experts explained that one key way was the financial stress this could cause.
“This can become a financial trap where you’re paying more and more of your insurance as a low-income Houstonian, and you don’t know when those prices are going to stop rising,” Rice sociology professor James Elliot said.
It’s the first time in nearly 20 years the federal agency has updated them. Nothing is official.