1/27/25 – The Humble ISD contractor in charge of rebuilding Foster Elementary has taken multiple, positive steps to reduce sediment-laden runoff from the construction site. Neighbors complained in early January about silty runoff from the site. Chris Parker and Robert Scarfo, two members of the school board, contacted me and facilitated a meeting with contractors […]
1/26/25 – According to data provided in response to a FOIA request, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) spending has now declined for the fourth straight year, despite $3 billion left in the flood bond (including committed partnership funding). High Cost of Slowing Down HCFCD spending picked up slightly last quarter compared to the previous […]
1/25/25 – Yesterday, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) released two lists of projects proposed for $863 million in funding. The lists correspond to Community Development Block Grants for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The Texas General Land Office (GLO) administers the funds […]
1/24/25 – Only hours remain to reduce your flood risk from sand mining. The public comment period for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) proposed new best management practices (BMPs) for sand mines closes tonight at 11:59 PM. As of this morning, fewer than 200 people statewide had left comments. That’s less than 1% […]
1/23/25 – In an effort to build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood along Northpark Drive, contractors this week took a brief break – for the weather. But today, they were back at it. Here’s where things stand in the last full week of January. Demolition, Drainage and Weather Delay The Lake Houston Redevelopment […]
1/22/25 – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed new Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Sand Mines. But they do nothing to address flood risk from sand mining here in the Lake Houston Area. Sediment pollution from upstream sand mines has contributed to flooding more than 13,000 homes and businesses in the Lake […]
1/21/25 – The TCEQ is soliciting public comments on its proposed new “best management practices” (BMPs) for sand mining. The comment period closes at 11:59 PM on 1/24/25. That’s this Friday. Regrettably, few people have submitted comments to date. Yet, when it comes to reducing downstream flood risk, few things are as important. BMPs are […]
1/20/25 – As I write this, the snow has already begun. Some people are predicting up to 6″ tonight and tomorrow. To put that in historical perspective, Houston hasn’t seen that much snow since 1895. The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority sent out a notice tonight saying that construction on Northpark would be tabled until after […]
1/19/25 at 9 AM – This morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) updated its predictions for the Winter Storm Watch and Cold Weather Advisory issued yesterday. The possible accumulations of snow increased from 3″ to 5″ with ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch also possible. Banding will lead to a disparity in […]
1/18/25 – Don’t get a flood in your attic. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a cold weather advisory and a winter storm watch for the entire Houston region. Sub-freezing temperatures and extreme wind chills mixed with ice and snow are expected. The: For more details on each, see below. Cold Weather Advisory Details […]