Very few areas in Polk County are completely free from the threat of floods.
Floods are natural and recurring events.
They become a hazard when people compete for the use of floodplains. The natural function of a floodplain is to carry away excess water in time of flood. Failure to recognize this function has led to rapid and haphazard development in floodplains and consequent increases in flood hazards. In 1990, severe rains in the Dallas area and in the upper Trinity River Water shed produced record floods in the lower Trinity River Basin. These floods convinced County officials of the need for flood insurance to protect people living in flood prone areas and that managing the floodplain is an absolute necessity.