Using a unique, loan-level database that combines post-disaster home inspection data, flood zone designations, and loan performance measures in the area impacted by Hurricane Harvey, we examine the link between property damage, flood insurance, and mortgage credit risk. We find that compared with homes with no damage, loans on moderately to severely damaged homes are more likely to become 90 days delinquent shortly after Harvey. However, longer-term loan performance depends on whether the property is located in areas where borrowers are required to have flood insurance. Where flood insurance is required, loan prepayment rate rises with property damage. In areas where flood insurance is not required, and very few borrowers have flood insurance, we find that as property damage increases, the likelihood of needing a loan modification increases, as does the likelihood of a loan being 180 or more days delinquent or in default during the two years following Hurricane Harvey. Thus, our findings provide direct evidence that flood insurance protects homeowners and mortgage creditors against credit risk arising from flood events. KEYWORDS Flood risk; credit risk; natural disaster JEL CODES Q54; Q58; R20 Flooding is the costliest natural disaster in the United States and coastal flooding, often triggered by tropical storms or hurricanes, is particularly damaging. Costs from floods have been increasing over the past several decades and are projected to continue to do so from the combined effects of increased development and urbanization (Cutter et al., 2018) as well as climate changes including intensification of rainfall, changing storm patterns, and sea level rise (e.g.,

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