Where can I find data on actual homes flooded during Harvey?

[DenverBird]

So far all I have found is the FEMA modeled damage assessments

[SteveCole]

As Joe Citizen, I'm not sure you'll get that information due to privacy concerns but your local Emergency Management department would likely have compiled that information since they compile damage estimates for FEMA (which, in turn, may lead to a disaster declaration and ultimately financial assistance).

The local Health Department might also have this information but the same privacy concerns may apply.

[DenverBird]

Thanks.

I did find that Harris County has an online portal for residents to report flood damage.  The results don't seem to be available to the public, however.

I am looking at the damage assessment model for Harvey available at the link below:

https://data.femadata.com/NationalDisasters/HurricaneHarvey/Data/DepthGrid/FEMA/

I think it would be worthwhile to evaluate the accuracy of the model by noting actual vs predicted flooded structures.

I will contact FEMA to find out if they plan to "ground truth" this model.

[DenverBird]

https://gis.fema.gov/arcgis/rest/services/FEMA/FEMA_Damage_Assessments/MapServer/0

I found the Building Level Damage Assessment Model for Harvey at the link above. 

I also submitted an inquiry to FEMA via their online contact form.

[DenverBird]

Here is the response I received from FEMA regarding my inquiry:

We are responding as a representative of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to your email message sent to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

For the most updated flooding data for areas in Texas affected by the disaster, please review the Hurricane Incident Journal section of the Hurricane Harvey response at https://respond-harvey-geoplatform.opendata.arcgis.com/.

We hope this information has addressed the concerns raised in your email.  If you need additional information or assistance, please reply to this message.  You may also contact the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) by telephone, toll-free, at (877)336-2627, option 1, or by chat at http://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html.

I visited the links that they provided but did not find information at the level of detail that I need.  I have seen published articles where the number of insurance claims under NFIP is used to represent damage.  I will investigate further.

[DenverBird]

Here is the second reply I received from FEMA:

We are responding as a representative of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to your email message sent to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

A-PLUS provides a loss history report for homes.  You may call (800)627-3487 to request a free copy of the A-PLUS property loss history report.  Consumers may also contact A-PLUS to request a loss history report by writing to: A-PLUS Consumer Inquiry Center 545 Washington Boulevard 22-6, Jersey City, NJ 07310. Under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, C.L.U.E. reports can be accessed only by the owner, insurer, or lender for the property.  However, you can request that the current owner of the property order a C.L.U.E. report.

Alternatively, you can try contacting the Floodplain Administrator (FPA) for the community in question. They might have information related to your inquiry.  The FPA is typically located within the building or planning and zoning office of the municipal government.

You may also contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for further information on loss history and claims.  The NFIP can be reached directly at (866)395-7496.

We hope this information has addressed the concerns raised in your email.  If you need additional information or assistance, please reply to this message.  You may also contact the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) by telephone, toll-free, at (877)336-2627, option 1, or by chat at http://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html.