7/26/24 – The National Weather Service (NWS) has produced a must-read publication called “The 2024 Official SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide.” It puts everything you need to know about dealing with hurricanes and other forms of severe weather that strike this area – into one place. It’s a concise, well-written, easy-to-understand compilation of essential information. And it contains large type for the visually impaired.
All Types of Severe Weather Threats Covered
The Guide contains preparedness and safety tips for dealing with hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, large hail, heat and rip currents. It also includes links to websites that will help you stay informed on the quickly evolving threats. Whether you live inland or near the coast, you must read this 32 page document.
List of Topics
Even long-time Gulf Coast residents will find useful information in the 2024 SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide. It contains:
Hurricane Names (for the next five years)
A Readiness Checklist
How to Interpret National Hurricane Center (NHC) Cone Graphics
Background Information about Hurricanes (such as tracks of the 62 hurricanes that have hit the Texas Coast since 1851)
Surf and Rip Currents
How Distant Hurricanes Can Be Deadly
Storm Surge
Inland Reach of Storm Surge in Cat 1, 2 and 3 Storms for Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay and the Brazoria Coastline
Five Practical Ways to Protect Yourself from Inland Flooding
Tornadoes and Destructive Winds
Mobil Homes in High Winds
Hurricane Preparation (Elevation, Mobil Homes, Landscaping, Roofing, Doors and Windows)
Preparation for Businesses, Marine Areas, Pets
Insurance Tips for Before and After the Storm
Contact Info and Supplies
Hurricane Supply Kit Checklist
Final Checklists
When Storms Are in the Gulf
Actions to Take When Evacuating
Actions to Take if Staying
Best Sources for Forecast Information
Explanation of Terminology and Graphics used by NHC and NWS
How to Set Up Android and Apple Phones to Receive Extreme Weather Alerts
Where to Find Local information
A Tourist Safety Guide
Evacuation Routes (including where to find local maps and actions to take before evacuating)
Evacuation Zip Zones (for five different categories of hurricanes)
How to Register for State of Texas Emergency Assistance
Returning Home (including cleanup, water, disinfection, utilities, generators, sewage)
Emergency Management Contacts for 23 Southeast Texas Counties
Best-In-Class Resource
You could find information about each of these topics with a web search. But this guide puts all the essential information together for you in one place. And the guide is localized for this area.
It’s a best-in-class resource. And it’s free.
For easy future reference, I’m posting a PDF of the Guide on ReduceFlooding.com. You can find it on the Links page – the first link under Preparedness.
Hurricane Supplies Depleted by Beryl? Replenish Now!
As if on cue, I received an email from Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner this afternoon while writing this post. It included a graphic from the NHC about a potential area of interest in the Atlantic. They project that the disturbance, if it develops, will move toward the Gulf.
As of 7/26/24, NHC gives the area only a 20% chance of developing.
However, Lindner warns, “Overall, the recently quiet Atlantic will be shifting toward a much more active phase over the next 7-10 days. That will likely continue into the peak of hurricane season in September.”
He added, “Now is the time to make sure supplies utilized during Beryl are restocked and plans in place for the remainder of this season.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/26/24
2523 Days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2024-07-26 16:05:402024-07-26 22:44:09Must Read: NWS 2024 SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide
7/25/24 Noon – A flood watch and warning continue for the Lake Houston Area with more heavy rain expected. The San Jacinto East Fork and West Fork, Caney Creek and Lake Creek are all at or near flood stage due to even heavier rains earlier in the week.
Flood watches and warnings have been extended until late tonight and “may need be extended into Friday,” according Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner.
Both Lake Conroe and Lake Houston remain well above normal levels and are discharging water.
It’s been a wet year so far. Rainfall year to date is 57% higher than normal at Bush Intercontinental Airport. And while the tropics are currently quiet, sea surface temperatures remain well above average for this time of year.
See more details below.
San Jacinto East Fork
The worst flooding seems to be along the East Fork where water is into the moderate flood stage and still rising. NOAA predicts it will crest at 63.7 feet tomorrow.
Farther upstream at Cleveland, the Fire Department has warned of flooded low-water areas. But the river appears to be cresting.
Caney Creek near Splendora
Caney Creek near Splendora has peaked inches below the moderate flood stage and should start decreasing today.
Lake Creek Above the Woodlands
Lake Creek above The Woodlands is also flirting with flooding due to more than 10 inches of rain in the last three days. However, barring more heavy rainfall, the creek should now recede.
West Fork at US59
All the water that fell near The Woodlands is now working its way downstream to the Lake Houston Area. Minor lowland flooding last night is now receding.
Lake Conroe
The level in Lake Conroe is finally going down, but the SJRA continues to release more than 5,000 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS).
The SJRA reported a level of 201.88 earlier this morning.
Lake Houston
Lake Houston is 1.6 feet higher than normal and discharging 32,435 CFS. Ten thousand CFS can go through the existing flood gates. The rest is going over the spillway.
Rainfall Prediction
The National Weather Service predicts 3-6 inches of rain along the coastline, 2-4″ inches up to I-10, and up to 1.5 inches farther inland.
I’ve already received more than an inch in my rain gage so far today.
Flood Watch Remains in Effect
As a result of more rain falling on ground saturated by heavier rainfall earlier in the week, a Flood Watch remains in effect for Harris, Liberty, Galveston, Chambers and Fort Bend counties.
Rainfall Year-to-Date
So, how does all this rainfall compare to a normal year? The National Weather Service shows this graph for Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Normally, by this day in July, we get around 28 inches of rain. But year to date, we have received 44.27 – 57% more than normal – quite a change from last year’s drought.
Tropical Outlook
The National Hurricane Center currently shows no areas of interest in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico. That’s good news. And they expect none for the next seven days – even better news.
However, forecasters warn that that could turn around in early August. Sea surface temperatures remain well above normal for this time of year.
The main development region between West Africa and the Caribbean remains 1-3 degrees Celsius above average. That translates to 1.8 to 5.4 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.
So remember to keep those storm drains clear of debris from Beryl! And keep those floaties handy!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/24
2522 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rainfall-YTD-at-IAH.png?fit=1700%2C662&ssl=16621700adminadmin2024-07-25 13:19:352024-07-25 13:19:36Flood Watch, Warning Continue; May Be Extended
7/24/24 – Note: This guest editorial by Kingwood resident Tony Lanson is timely. The Lake Houston Area is currently under yet another flood watch.
Why are the promised Lake Houston flood gates not completed? Why has the schedule slipped repeatedly? Will they really be constructed by 2028 – the latest target date? That’s 11 years after Harvey and five years later than originally promised. We need them to reduce flood risk.
The threat to our community’s sense of peace and wellbeing has eroded the value proposition for current and prospective Lake Houston residents and businesses.
Repeated Delays
Our elected officials did their job. They responded to an urgent mandate to act. They:
Persevered through years of consultant reports and 11 engineering alternatives.
However, the project now seems stuck in a low gear. Project-level leadership seems to lack urgency to deliver.
Has the Lake Houston Flood Gates project team been challenged to simplify the process and accelerate the schedule? Urgency seems to be missing – even after the May 2024 flood and Hurricane Beryl rekindled old fears and anxieties.
Early Missteps
From 2018 to 2023 the City of Houston and the CWA presided over contract firms, project scoping, design, costing, permitting, bidding and reviews.
However, the City of Houston could find no contractors to bid on the project because of “constructability risk.” Was there no constructability review during five years of engineering?
Thus, engineering and design for the project turned into a “start over.”
The Latest Plan
The new Lake Houston Flood Gates project has 11 tainter gates in the eastern, earthen portion of the dam instead of crest gates on the western portion. But the project’s cost tripled.
Looking N at Lake Houston Dam. New plan would place 11 Tainter gates near red circle.
On May 25, 2024, we learned the project could hopefully begin construction in 2025. Officials hinted at possible completion in 2028.
Each dam project alone was larger than the addition of 11 gates to the Lake Houston Dam. And both dams were completed in two years.
Now, focus on changes to the Wirtz Dam flood gates. In 2023, the LCRA announced it would replace the nine original gates plus one that was added in 1974. That makes 10 gates in total. And each gate is larger than those proposed for Lake Houston. LCRA estimates completion in 2025.
Again, they are doing it in two years compared to Lake Houston’s current 11-year schedule. That should give everyone reason for pause – especially considering that the Wirtz gates are twice as big as the Lake Houston gates.
Each gate will be fabricated on site. The old gates will be replaced individually, requiring coffer dams for each. Yet the Wirtz project will cost half as much as the Lake Houston project.
Need to Improve Project Management
Can’t we do 10 smaller gates in less than three years? Especially when it’s the same gate replicated 10 times. Replication and standardization usually increase efficiency, reduce time, and cut costs.
Is an optimization review or constructability review with prospective contractors planned this time to avoid another “no bid” situation?
Is it time to ask if the Lake Houston Flood Gates project is being managed prudently with best project management practices?
Good project management assures all stakeholders that the best effort is occurring. It sets reasonable expectations. And project transparency with the public goes a long way in generating trust.
More gates on the Lake Houston dam will not make everyone safe in the event of another Harvey. But the gates will prevent people from flooding in smaller storms, which are much more frequent.
Consider, for instance, the early May storm this year. It was a small fraction of Harvey. Yet thousands of homes had floodwater lapping at their foundations.
Expeditious completion of the project would support peace of mind, well-being and prosperity in our community. We need that right now as the community still reels from Hurricane Beryl and contemplates the start of what experts predict will be an abnormally active hurricane season.
Shouldn’t we have gotten ahead of this by now? Who will enforce the urgency to act?
By Tony Lanson, Kingwood Resident
2521 Days since Hurricane Harvey
ReduceFlooding.com will be happy to publish the City’s or Coastal Water Authority’s point of view on this important topic.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20230812-RJR_2237.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-07-24 08:50:562024-07-24 09:54:06Guest Editorial: Where are the New Lake Houston Flood Gates?
Must Read: NWS 2024 SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide
7/26/24 – The National Weather Service (NWS) has produced a must-read publication called “The 2024 Official SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide.” It puts everything you need to know about dealing with hurricanes and other forms of severe weather that strike this area – into one place. It’s a concise, well-written, easy-to-understand compilation of essential information. And it contains large type for the visually impaired.
All Types of Severe Weather Threats Covered
The Guide contains preparedness and safety tips for dealing with hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, large hail, heat and rip currents. It also includes links to websites that will help you stay informed on the quickly evolving threats. Whether you live inland or near the coast, you must read this 32 page document.
List of Topics
Even long-time Gulf Coast residents will find useful information in the 2024 SE Texas Hurricane, Severe Weather Guide. It contains:
Best-In-Class Resource
You could find information about each of these topics with a web search. But this guide puts all the essential information together for you in one place. And the guide is localized for this area.
It’s a best-in-class resource. And it’s free.
For easy future reference, I’m posting a PDF of the Guide on ReduceFlooding.com. You can find it on the Links page – the first link under Preparedness.
Hurricane Supplies Depleted by Beryl? Replenish Now!
As if on cue, I received an email from Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner this afternoon while writing this post. It included a graphic from the NHC about a potential area of interest in the Atlantic. They project that the disturbance, if it develops, will move toward the Gulf.
As of 7/26/24, NHC gives the area only a 20% chance of developing.
However, Lindner warns, “Overall, the recently quiet Atlantic will be shifting toward a much more active phase over the next 7-10 days. That will likely continue into the peak of hurricane season in September.”
He added, “Now is the time to make sure supplies utilized during Beryl are restocked and plans in place for the remainder of this season.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/26/24
2523 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Flood Watch, Warning Continue; May Be Extended
7/25/24 Noon – A flood watch and warning continue for the Lake Houston Area with more heavy rain expected. The San Jacinto East Fork and West Fork, Caney Creek and Lake Creek are all at or near flood stage due to even heavier rains earlier in the week.
Flood watches and warnings have been extended until late tonight and “may need be extended into Friday,” according Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner.
Both Lake Conroe and Lake Houston remain well above normal levels and are discharging water.
It’s been a wet year so far. Rainfall year to date is 57% higher than normal at Bush Intercontinental Airport. And while the tropics are currently quiet, sea surface temperatures remain well above average for this time of year.
See more details below.
San Jacinto East Fork
The worst flooding seems to be along the East Fork where water is into the moderate flood stage and still rising. NOAA predicts it will crest at 63.7 feet tomorrow.
Farther upstream at Cleveland, the Fire Department has warned of flooded low-water areas. But the river appears to be cresting.
Caney Creek near Splendora
Caney Creek near Splendora has peaked inches below the moderate flood stage and should start decreasing today.
Lake Creek Above the Woodlands
Lake Creek above The Woodlands is also flirting with flooding due to more than 10 inches of rain in the last three days. However, barring more heavy rainfall, the creek should now recede.
West Fork at US59
All the water that fell near The Woodlands is now working its way downstream to the Lake Houston Area. Minor lowland flooding last night is now receding.
Lake Conroe
The level in Lake Conroe is finally going down, but the SJRA continues to release more than 5,000 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS).
The SJRA reported a level of 201.88 earlier this morning.
Lake Houston
Lake Houston is 1.6 feet higher than normal and discharging 32,435 CFS. Ten thousand CFS can go through the existing flood gates. The rest is going over the spillway.
Rainfall Prediction
The National Weather Service predicts 3-6 inches of rain along the coastline, 2-4″ inches up to I-10, and up to 1.5 inches farther inland.
I’ve already received more than an inch in my rain gage so far today.
Flood Watch Remains in Effect
As a result of more rain falling on ground saturated by heavier rainfall earlier in the week, a Flood Watch remains in effect for Harris, Liberty, Galveston, Chambers and Fort Bend counties.
Rainfall Year-to-Date
So, how does all this rainfall compare to a normal year? The National Weather Service shows this graph for Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Normally, by this day in July, we get around 28 inches of rain. But year to date, we have received 44.27 – 57% more than normal – quite a change from last year’s drought.
Tropical Outlook
The National Hurricane Center currently shows no areas of interest in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico. That’s good news. And they expect none for the next seven days – even better news.
However, forecasters warn that that could turn around in early August. Sea surface temperatures remain well above normal for this time of year.
The main development region between West Africa and the Caribbean remains 1-3 degrees Celsius above average. That translates to 1.8 to 5.4 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.
So remember to keep those storm drains clear of debris from Beryl! And keep those floaties handy!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/24
2522 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Guest Editorial: Where are the New Lake Houston Flood Gates?
7/24/24 – Note: This guest editorial by Kingwood resident Tony Lanson is timely. The Lake Houston Area is currently under yet another flood watch.
Why are the promised Lake Houston flood gates not completed? Why has the schedule slipped repeatedly? Will they really be constructed by 2028 – the latest target date? That’s 11 years after Harvey and five years later than originally promised. We need them to reduce flood risk.
The Need
Harvey devastated Lake Houston communities in 2017. It damaged more than 16,000 homes and 3,300 businesses. It also took more than a dozen lives in Kingwood alone.
The threat to our community’s sense of peace and wellbeing has eroded the value proposition for current and prospective Lake Houston residents and businesses.
Repeated Delays
Our elected officials did their job. They responded to an urgent mandate to act. They:
However, the project now seems stuck in a low gear. Project-level leadership seems to lack urgency to deliver.
Has the Lake Houston Flood Gates project team been challenged to simplify the process and accelerate the schedule? Urgency seems to be missing – even after the May 2024 flood and Hurricane Beryl rekindled old fears and anxieties.
Early Missteps
From 2018 to 2023 the City of Houston and the CWA presided over contract firms, project scoping, design, costing, permitting, bidding and reviews.
During that time the Lake Houston Flood Gates project was reduced to half the orginal scope when it was “found that the cost of the proposed gates exceeded the project’s budget” after factoring in reinforcement of the existing dam. In 2022, City officials said they planned to start the project “later this year and complete construction within 18 months.”
However, the City of Houston could find no contractors to bid on the project because of “constructability risk.” Was there no constructability review during five years of engineering?
Thus, engineering and design for the project turned into a “start over.”
The Latest Plan
The new Lake Houston Flood Gates project has 11 tainter gates in the eastern, earthen portion of the dam instead of crest gates on the western portion. But the project’s cost tripled.
On May 25, 2024, we learned the project could hopefully begin construction in 2025. Officials hinted at possible completion in 2028.
Dave Martin, Dan Crenshaw, Charles Cunningham, Dan Huberty, Brandon Creighton and a host of others went back to the well and secured the money. But at best, construction will finish 11 years after Harvey. Palpable frustration exists in the Lake Houston community.
The frustration is reasonable. We should challenge the explanations. Why is this project taking so long compared to similar projects?
Larger Projects Completed in Less Time at Lower Costs
Consider the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) project to construct the Wirtz and Starcke Dams simultaneously in 1949.
Each dam project alone was larger than the addition of 11 gates to the Lake Houston Dam. And both dams were completed in two years.
Now, focus on changes to the Wirtz Dam flood gates. In 2023, the LCRA announced it would replace the nine original gates plus one that was added in 1974. That makes 10 gates in total. And each gate is larger than those proposed for Lake Houston. LCRA estimates completion in 2025.
Again, they are doing it in two years compared to Lake Houston’s current 11-year schedule. That should give everyone reason for pause – especially considering that the Wirtz gates are twice as big as the Lake Houston gates.
Each gate will be fabricated on site. The old gates will be replaced individually, requiring coffer dams for each. Yet the Wirtz project will cost half as much as the Lake Houston project.
Need to Improve Project Management
Can’t we do 10 smaller gates in less than three years? Especially when it’s the same gate replicated 10 times. Replication and standardization usually increase efficiency, reduce time, and cut costs.
Is an optimization review or constructability review with prospective contractors planned this time to avoid another “no bid” situation?
Is it time to ask if the Lake Houston Flood Gates project is being managed prudently with best project management practices?
Good project management assures all stakeholders that the best effort is occurring. It sets reasonable expectations. And project transparency with the public goes a long way in generating trust.
More gates on the Lake Houston dam will not make everyone safe in the event of another Harvey. But the gates will prevent people from flooding in smaller storms, which are much more frequent.
Consider, for instance, the early May storm this year. It was a small fraction of Harvey. Yet thousands of homes had floodwater lapping at their foundations.
Expeditious completion of the project would support peace of mind, well-being and prosperity in our community. We need that right now as the community still reels from Hurricane Beryl and contemplates the start of what experts predict will be an abnormally active hurricane season.
Shouldn’t we have gotten ahead of this by now? Who will enforce the urgency to act?
By Tony Lanson, Kingwood Resident
2521 Days since Hurricane Harvey
ReduceFlooding.com will be happy to publish the City’s or Coastal Water Authority’s point of view on this important topic.