For New Caney, Porter and Splendora homeowners
For water damage restoration in New Caney, TX, shut off the main valve, photograph everything and start drying in the first 24 to 48 hours. Creek and river water is flood water and is not covered by standard homeowners policies. We take requests from New Caney, Porter and Splendora.
Which New Caney addresses do you take requests from?
Requests come in from New Caney (77357), Porter (77365) and Splendora (77372). A restoration provider confirms whether they can reach your address when they call. Montgomery County neighbors have their own pages: Kingwood and Humble to the south, Spring and Klein, The Woodlands and Conroe and Willis.
Most of this area is unincorporated, so your county precinct, fire district and school district matter more than your mailing city. Ask the provider which of them applies to your lot if a permit or inspection comes up.
Does New Caney flood?
Some addresses can, and the lot matters more than the town name. Wikipedia does not map flood zones for New Caney, so this page cannot say which streets are affected. It does say the first ranches, mills and stores grew up along Caney Creek, and that the area has a humid subtropical climate.
The San Jacinto River is the major river of this part of Texas. Its west fork is dammed to form Lake Conroe in Montgomery County, and Wikipedia records that flooding along the river in October 1994 failed eight petroleum pipelines. Ready.gov warns that six inches of moving water can knock a person down, so do not wade through it.
Water that enters from outside is flood water. The IICRC S500 standard places rising water from rivers and streams in Category 3, which means the materials it soaked usually have to be removed. See how flood zone maps work around Houston and why the region floods.
How did growth shape New Caney and Porter homes?
New Caney grew from a small railroad stop into a large unincorporated community. It began in 1862 as Presswood, got its railroad in 1877 and had 60 residents in 1884 and 150 in 1892. Wikipedia estimates roughly 22,000 people in the New Caney area by 2016.
Wikipedia describes ranches, mills, a railroad stop and decades of later growth, but it does not date any particular street. Look up the build year of your own house before you decide how to treat old plumbing or wiring.
- Houses on slabs hide supply lines under the floor. Read about slab leaks if a floor feels warm or the water bill jumps.
- If you own a large lot, a leak in a garage or outbuilding can run for days unseen, so check them after storms.
- New Caney is administered by Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 4, and fire and EMS come from East Montgomery County ESD 7.
What is different about Porter Heights?
Porter Heights is a census-designated place of 3.2 square miles, and it had 1,903 residents and 420 households at the 2020 Census. It first appeared as a CDP in the 1980 census. Farm to Market Road 1314, also called Conroe Porter Road, forms its northeastern edge and connects it to the Grand Parkway.
Wikipedia says parts of Porter Heights are zoned to New Caney ISD and parts to Conroe ISD, so two districts and two sets of local offices touch one small area. That is another reason to confirm which county office and fire district cover your lot.
A small settlement with few nearby services means distance is real. Providers differ on how far they drive, so ask about travel before you agree to anything.
How do these communities compare?
The table below sets out what Wikipedia reports for each place and what that means for a wet house. Housing age is not stated for any of them, so look up your own build year. Confirm your fire district and county precinct before you call anyone.
| Place | What Wikipedia says | What it means for a wet house |
|---|---|---|
| New Caney (77357) | Unincorporated; founded 1862 as Presswood; Caney Creek ranches and mills | Look up your own lot and fire district |
| Porter Heights | CDP; 1,903 people in 2020; 3.2 square miles | Two school districts, so confirm local offices |
| Porter (77365) | Southeast end of FM 1314 | Ask the provider about travel to your address |
| Splendora (77372) | City incorporated 1966; 604 housing units in 2020 | Smaller city, often rural lots |
What should Splendora owners know?
Splendora is a small city of 2.1 square miles about 37 miles north-northeast of Houston, with 1,683 residents and 604 housing units at the 2020 Census. Of those units, 9.8% were vacant. Wikipedia says 72.0% of residents lived in rural areas.
It began as Cox's Switch, a narrow-gauge railroad spur, and was renamed Splendora in 1896 for the splendor of its flowers. The city incorporated in December 1966.
If your property has a private well or septic system, tell the provider at the first call. Sewage is Category 3, and the EPA advises calling a professional experienced with contaminated water. Ask a neighbor to look in on a vacant house after a storm.
Can a freeze burst pipes in a New Caney house?
Yes. The Texas Department of Insurance says most of Texas had a prolonged period of frigid cold, ice and sleet from February 11 to 19, 2021, and that damage included freezing pipes. Its report counts 511,473 insurance claims statewide as of June 30, 2022.
The American Red Cross says pipes in attics, garages and kitchen cabinets are most at risk. If you are away in cold weather, leave the heat no lower than 55 F and let cold water drip from faucets on exposed pipes. Our burst pipe guide covers the shutoff and cleanup steps, and preventing water damage lists other habits.
Will insurance pay for creek or river water?
Usually not. The Insurance Information Institute says flood is excluded under standard homeowners and renters policies and needs a separate policy from the NFIP or a private insurer. The NAIC adds that damage from ground water and rain runoff is typically not covered either.
FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, but a sudden plumbing or roof leak is a different case. Call your agent before you sign a work order if you are unsure which category your loss falls into. The insurance claims guide lists what to photograph and keep, and choosing a restoration company lists questions to ask.
What should I do in the first 24 to 48 hours?
Stop the water, protect people, then start drying. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, so the clock matters. Work through the steps below in order, and skip any that are unsafe.
- Shut off the main water valve, and the power to wet areas if you can do it safely.
- Photograph and video everything before moving it.
- Call your insurer and ask what it needs before work begins.
- Call a restoration provider and ask what they will measure and how they will document drying.
- Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50, as the EPA recommends.
The emergency page has a longer checklist, and mold after water damage covers what to do once growth has started. Providers differ on which areas they reach, so confirm coverage when they call.
Sources: New Caney, Texas, Porter Heights, Texas, Splendora, Texas and San Jacinto River (Texas) (Wikipedia, citing the 2020 Census); Ready.gov, floods; IICRC S500; TDI Winter Storm Uri report; American Red Cross, frozen pipes; Triple-I, disasters covered by homeowners insurance; NAIC homeowners insurance; FEMA, flood insurance; EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home; EPA, Mold Cleanup in Your Home.