Flood Zones and Water Shutoffs in Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth's water emergency line is 817‑392‑4477, Option 1, and the city's Flood Risk Viewer shows whether your address sits in a flood-prone area.
Who to Call First in Fort WorthFort Worth Numbers, Matched to the Problem
Fort Worth splits water problems by cause, not by urgency. For a water main issue or city water or sewer emergency, call 817-392-4477, Option 1. Contact a plumber about a broken pipe inside your home. A flood-risk or floodplain question goes to Stormwater Management, and a permit question for repair work goes to Development Services.
| Situation | Who to call | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Water main issue, city water or sewer emergency, or sewage flowing onto the ground | City water emergency line, 817-392-4477, Option 1 | Checked: September 2026 |
| Sewer backup inside your home | Same line, 817-392-4477, Option 1 | Checked: September 2026 |
| Whether your address is in a flood-prone area, or a floodplain permit | Stormwater Management, 817-392-6261, floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov | Checked: September 2026 |
| General repair or building permit question | Development Services, 817-392-2222 | Checked: September 2026 |
The city's water call center also answers general account questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The city's water emergency line is 817-392-4477, Option 1. Keep the number saved before you need it, not after.
Check Your Property's Flood Risk First
For flood-risk information about your property, look up your address in the city's mapping tools. The city publishes two tools built for this: a map that shows flood-prone areas by address, and an address lookup tool with a dedicated flood-risk section. Both are on the city's website and do not require an appointment.
- Fort Worth's Flood Risk Viewer — an interactive city map of flood-prone areas by address
- Fort Worth's OneAddress tool — an address lookup with its own flood-risk section
- For repair work, also see Fort Worth's development permit information
If your address sits in or near a mapped flood-prone area, checking before you repair or rebuild can save a second trip later, since floodplain rules can affect how a damaged structure is repaired.
If You Have a Sewer Backup or Overflow
The City of Fort Worth's sewer FAQ page describes a simple test. Turn off your household water outlets. If the overflow stops once the outlets are off, the problem is likely in your private sewer lateral. The city says to report sewage flowing onto the ground at 817-392-4477.
- Turn off the water outlets you are using inside your home
- If the overflow stops, the issue is likely on your private line — call a plumber
- If it does not stop, or you see sewage flowing onto the ground, call 817-392-4477 to report it
- If you see sewage flowing onto the ground anywhere on your property, call 817-392-4477
Fort Worth is responsible for sewer collectors, mains, and outfalls located within public rights of way and easements. Maintenance of the customer service line that runs from your house to the main is the homeowner's responsibility.
Floodplain Rules and Permits for Repairs
Stormwater Management, at 100 Fort Worth Trail, handles floodplain questions for the city. The floodplain administrator is Lisa Biggs, P.E., CFM. Reach the office at 817-392-6261 or floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov before you plan work on a property near mapped flood risk.
Stormwater Management offers a personalized consultation for properties in or near flood-prone areas at no cost, including a site visit on request. Ask for one before you plan repairs or elevation changes.
- Stormwater Management / floodplain questions — 817-392-6261, floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov
- Development Services / repair and building permits — 817-392-2222
- Development Services is located at City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102
If your home was damaged by flooding, ask Development Services whether the repair needs a permit before work starts, especially if you plan to rebuild in place or change the structure's footprint. For a slab leak, ask Development Services whether the proposed repair needs a permit.
Flood Insurance Through the NFIP
Fort Worth participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System, so homeowners here can typically buy federally backed flood insurance. The city states that participation brings a 15% reduction in flood insurance premiums. This is general information, not insurance advice; ask an agent about your specific policy.
- NFIP coverage generally has a 30-day waiting period; ask your agent about the effective date and any applicable exception
- The 15% premium reduction is attributed by the city to Fort Worth's NFIP and Community Rating System participation
- A standard homeowners policy typically excludes flood; a separate NFIP or private flood policy is usually required for that risk
Most standard homeowners policies handle sudden water damage differently from flood, so it is worth confirming with your agent which policy would respond if your street or yard floods rather than a pipe inside the house. For a pipe that breaks from cold, see the frozen and burst pipe guide for how coverage typically works.
Why Fort Worth Floods
In Fort Worth, heavy rainfall from localized thunderstorms is the primary cause of flooding, and these events can occur year-round rather than in a single season. The West Fork and Clear Fork of the Trinity River run through Fort Worth.
- The Tarrant Regional Water District maintains a 27-mile floodway along the river system
- Heavy-rain flooding in Fort Worth can occur year-round, not only during a named storm season
Sign up for CodeRED alerts through the city's emergency management office to get notified before or during a flood event in your area, rather than finding out after water is already in the street.
If That Did Not Work
If a call does not get through, or you are not sure which office is right, you have three honest options: try again at a different time, use a different route into the same office, or step up to a different agency entirely.
- Try again: the city's water emergency line is 817-392-4477, Option 1; if the general call center line is busy, the online tools above can answer a flood-risk question without a call
- Another route: if you cannot reach Stormwater Management by phone, email floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov, or visit Development Services in person at City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail
- Who else to contact: if your dispute is with an insurance company rather than the city, the Texas Department of Insurance takes complaints at 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central
Once the immediate call is handled, the next question homeowners usually ask is what a repair will cost. See Water Damage Restoration Cost in Fort Worth, TX for what shapes that price in Tarrant County, and the mold after water damage guide for guidance about mold after water damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 817-392-4477 the right number for a burst pipe inside my house?
Who is the Fort Worth floodplain administrator?
Is the flood-risk consultation from the city actually no cost?
Does flood insurance start the day I buy it?
Who is responsible for the sewer line between the street and my house?
Do I need a permit to repair flood damage to my home?
Water in your home right now?
See who to call first in Fort Worth, how to reach your water provider, and how to check your flood zone.
Who to Call First in Fort Worth