The Modeling, Assessment and Awareness Project (MAAPnext) is a collaborative initiative between the Harris County Flood Control District and FEMA to deliver the most advanced flood hazard mapping effort in the county’s history. Leveraging new hydrologic and hydraulic modeling technologies, the project will update how flood risks are understood and communicated across all 22 watersheds and 34 communities in Harris County, including areas previously unmapped, like those affected by overland and neighborhood-scale flooding.

MAAPnext is being carried out in two phases. Phase 1 began in early 2019, focusing on 11 watersheds and funded through an initial FEMA grant. Phase 2, covering the remaining watersheds, was planned to launch later that year pending a second grant. The project’s total budget is $15.5 million, with $14.5 million funded and $2.2 million spent as of the feasibility stage. Once complete, MAAPnext will provide more accurate flood risk data, enabling informed decisions to protect life and property.

One of the project’s cornerstones is its integration of NOAA’s Atlas 14 rainfall data, which increases the estimated rainfall in events like the 100-year storm. Combined with updated terrain information and modern modeling tools, this approach aims to reflect current and future flood realities more accurately. 

MAAPnext will also result in the development of new flood communication tools, helping residents, planners, and emergency responders better understand local flood hazards. Beyond simply updating flood maps, the project represents a shift toward a more resilient and data-driven approach to flood management in Harris County. For more details, visit the project’s site.