Check the FEMA Flood Map Before Buying in Upshur County

Upshur County is divided between two separate drainage systems. The northern part drains into Big Cypress Creek, which flows toward the Mississippi River basin. The southern part drains toward the Gulf of Mexico through the Sabine River system. Land near these waterways and their tributaries may be in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on FEMA's maps. If you buy in a flood zone and have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is usually required.

Look up any specific address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Flood maps can change — check the current effective map, not just what a seller tells you. If a property has been flooded before, ask for disclosure and look at the elevation certificate if one exists.