Clearing of Beryl Debris from Creeks and Channels Continues
9/14/24 – Clearing of Beryl debris from Harris County creeks and channels by HCFCD/FEMA contractors continues more than two months after the storm that struck Houston on July 8, 2024.
Prolonged 65-80 MPH winds raked the Lake Houston Area for hours, downing thousands of trees.
Who’s Responsible for What
The cleanup effort has advanced on two fronts: streets and channels. The City of Houston and Harris County precincts (in unincorporated areas) manage street cleanup. Harris County Flood Control District manages the creeks and channels.
I previously reported about the City’s efforts and its debris-tracker website. I also published a story about how to report problems discovered in streams and ditches.
But I really haven’t shown the latter crews in action.
HCFCD/FEMA Crew Clearing Backland Gully
Chris Bloch, a local flood activist, rode along with some Harris County Flood Control Distict/FEMA contractors and grabbed these photos of the equipment they are using. Bloch took the pictures below on Backland Gully in Kings Point.
A marsh buggy, also known as an amphibious excavator, grabs onto tree blocking the channel and…
The contractor is clearing trees from numerous channels in the Kingwood Area. His company is also working Bens Branch, Bear Branch, the lowest reach of Taylor Gully, White Oak Creek, Green Tree Ditch, Mills Branch, Caney Creek and more.
The contractor estimated his company has removed 2,000 tons of debris so far, but the number changes hourly.
Immensity of Job
Last week, they finished the area upstream of the Tree Lane Bridge on Bear Branch. But the equipment they used there is too small to handle the size and volume of trees that fell downstream from the bridge given the depth of the channel.
They have their work cut out for them.
See examples below. I took all six photos on 9/13/24 within a quarter mile stretch of Bens Branch downstream from Tree Lane.
Such blockages can catch other debris being swept downstream in storms and back water up, flooding homes.
HCFCD maintains 2500 miles of ditches, bayous and streams. If a quarter mile segment of one looks this bad, one can only imagine how long it will take to finish the job.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/14/24
2573 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 68 since Beryl
