Entries by admin

Royal Pines Clearcutting Floods Neighbor on Less Than 1″ of Rain

As proof of how dangerous clearcutting without sufficient mitigation can be, the controversial Royal Pines development has flooded a neighbor on a rain that was less than 1″ – even as the Lake Houston area flirts with drought. The circumstances are similar to those of a nearby development – Woodridge Village. There, clearcutting flooded Elm […]

November Flood-News Roundup

Below is a roundup of flood news this week – seven quick stories. Montgomery County Buyout Deadline Fast Approaching The deadline for the current round of buyout applications in Montgomery County is November 30, 2022. The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management still has money left in a Community Development Block Grant […]

So Far, Early Voting Turnout Dismal

Early voting turnout this year rates a D for “dismal.” At the close of polls on Wednesday 11/2/22, only 566,006 of the 2.57 million registered voters in Harris County had voted. That’s 22% with just Thursday and Friday left for early voting. By comparison, during the 2018 mid-terms (the last comparable election), 63% of Harris […]

From Lush Forest to Pine Barrens in 7 Months

Today, Royal Pines looks vastly different from the way it did last April. If such a thing as “truth in development naming” existed, they would have to call it “The Barrens of Kingwood.” I first reported on the clearing of 200+ acres for this new development back in April 2022. Now see the four photos […]

Woodridge Village Excavation, Taylor Gully Updates

Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) says that, as of 10/31/22, Sprint Sand and Clay has hauled off 66,094 cubic yards of dirt from Woodridge Village. That means, despite the slowing real estate market, that the company has exceeded its Excavation and Removal contract minimum within nine months of the first year. Objective of Excavation […]

County Approves Another $15 Million for Flood Mitigation in Precincts 1, 2

On October 25, 2022, the three Democrats on Harris County Commissioners Court approved the expenditure of another $15 million from the Flood Resilience Trust. All the money will be spent to avoid delays on flood mitigation projects in Precincts 1 and 2. This follows an approval on June 28 to spend $85 million on 16 […]

Simple Way to Find Depth of Flooding Near You

Ever wonder how to find the depth of flooding on a bayou, river or stream near you? Here’s a simple way. But this only works for those in and around Harris County, Texas, and those who live on streams with gages. Step-By-Step Guide Go to HarrisCountyFWS.org. FWS stands for Flood Warning System. The main function […]

Highest Risk for Severe Weather Shifts SW and Offshore

This morning’s 7 a.m. report from Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist, indicates that the severe weather threat predicted yesterday for Houston has shifted southwest toward Matagorda Bay and offshore. However, showers and thunderstorms will increase through the day. And few of the storms could be strong to severe. Radar Image Shows Gap Between Storms at […]

Strong Thunderstorms, Street Flooding, Tornados Possible Tomorrow

Update: 10/28/22 11am: Today’s reports indicate the highest severe storm risk is shifting SW of Houston and offshore. Experts now predict 1-2 inches of rain for the Houston area today. Areas offshore are already getting 2-4 inches per hour. Tomorrow will likely bring strong thunderstorms. Rainfall rates could exceed the capacity of street drains leading […]

All You Need to Know About Flooding Before You Vote

Before you vote this year, review these two graphs and a map. They should tell you everything you need to know about flooding and flood mitigation in the Lake Houston Area. They should also motivate you to vote if you are on the sidelines. Highest Flooding The first graph shows “feet above flood stage” during […]