Clear Lake & Friendswood flood and water damage (Clear Creek)

What the flood record shows

Harris County Flood Control District's Hurricane Harvey flood report estimated about 5,480 homes flooded in the Clear Creek watershed, with another 6,500 along Turkey Creek and Mud Gully (Clear Creek tributaries counted separately). Countywide, the same report found 68% of flooded homes were outside the mapped 100-year floodplain and 64% had no flood insurance in force. In Friendswood alone, Community Impact reported 2,410 homes flooded during Harvey, citing the city's damage count.

Near the lake, Harris County Flood Control operates the Second Outlet Channel and Gated Structure by SH 146 at Kemah/Seabrook. Its six gates stay closed most of the time (about 98%, per The Galveston County Daily News) and open to drain Clear Creek floodwater to the bay. The gates were recently replaced, but no structure stops a surge or a stalled rain band entirely — plan for water.

Creek flood vs. surge vs. roof leak: why it matters for your claim

• Clear Creek / rainfall flooding is usually Category 3 water — treat drywall, insulation, and carpet pad as contaminated. It's a flood-policy claim.
• Storm surge near Clear Lake and the bay adds salt water and debris; also a flood-policy claim, and corrosion on HVAC and electrical needs its own inspection.
• Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof is normally a homeowners (wind) claim. Ask your mitigation crew to document the entry point so the two carriers don't point at each other.

What to ask a Clear Lake or Friendswood water crew

• Can you get IICRC-trained techs (WRT / ASD) to my ZIP today — and how do you reach the Bay Area when I-45 or Bay Area Blvd floods?
• Will you document the water category and give me a moisture map my flood adjuster can use?
• How do you decide flood-cut height, and will you photograph wall cavities before anything is closed up?
• Who writes the mold protocol if we need one — and will it be a separate, independent company?
• Are you asking me to sign an assignment of benefits or direction-to-pay today? (Read it first; you can say no.)

Water damage listings serving the south and Bay Area side

Rhino Water Damage lists Brazoria and Galveston counties; First Response Restoration lists Pearland; the others state Houston-area coverage. Confirm Clear Lake or Friendswood response time when you call.

All Houston water damage listings →

Independent mold inspectors (after the dry-out)

Assessment-only firms (remediates = no). Noon Environmental lists Clear Lake and Pearland; Texas Mold Pro lists Pearland; the others state Houston-area coverage.

All inspection-only mold listings →

Hurricane and hail roof damage near the bay

After a Gulf storm, out-of-town crews arrive fast. Look for a permanent Houston-area street address, proof of insurance, and a contract that does not let the roofer negotiate your claim. See how to choose a Houston roofer. Tell Project Roofing lists Galveston and Brazoria counties; Serenity and Elegant Roofing list Pearland.

Nearby areas with Clear Creek risk

Pearland, League City, Webster, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, and Kemah share Clear Creek or Clear Lake drainage. The same checklist applies: mitigation first, independent assessment if mold is suspected, then separate remediation bids.

Also see: Meyerland water damage · Kingwood flood damage · Katy hail & roof repair