10/22/25 – Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators who research weather trends, reported today that 14 separate billion-dollar weather disasters have occurred across the U.S. during the first six months of 2025. They caused $101.4 billion in damages.
Climate Central Now Updating Former NOAA Database
Climate Central has taken over the database of billion-dollar disasters that NOAA stopped updating earlier this year. The self-described “policy neutral” non-profit group addresses climate, sea-level rise, extreme weather, energy, and related topics.
Most Expensive 6 Months on Record
The 14 events recorded just in the first half of this year, between January and June, are well above the inflation-adjusted annual average of 9 events over the past 46 years.
According to Climate Central, the first half of 2025 was the most expensive on record, driven by unprecedented damage from the LA wildfires and damaging Spring severe weather.
The January LA wildfires were the costliest event so far this year — and the costliestwildfire on record — with damages exceeding $60 billion, nearly doubling the previous record.
Need for Data If Costs Shift to States
Climate Central is committed to keeping this critical dataset accessible, timely, and transparent, and will continue to update the analysis to monitor the risk of weather and climate-related disasters.
Adam Smith, Climate Central’s Senior Climate Impacts Scientist, said, “I’m proud to continue this work with Climate Central and to ensure that this vital information remains accessible to the public, researchers, and decision-makers.” Smith formerly headed up NOAA’s U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Program for 15 years.
While the first half of the year set records, it’s unclear how an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season while affect the final totals for the year. So far, not one Atlantic hurricane has made landfall in the mainland US this year, a first since 2005.
According to the New York Times, the annual average of billion-dollar disasters has surged from three per year during the 1980s to 19 per year during the last 10 years.
The increase in costs during that same period is not just a function of weather extremes. “As more people and businesses move into areas that are prone to floods and wildfire, more property is vulnerable to damage,” said the Times article.
The Times quoted Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute. He studies climate effects on communities and said the database serves as a powerful signal that decision making is costing us a lot of money.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/22/25
2976 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251022-Q1-2-2025-Climate-Disasters-In-US.png?fit=1100%2C639&ssl=16391100adminadmin2025-10-22 18:45:432025-10-22 18:48:22Weather Disasters Cost More Than $100 Billion in First Half of 2025
October 20, 2025 – On October 16, 2025, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals ruled that the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) enjoyed governmental immunity in one set of “takings” claims arising out of Hurricane Harvey. The three-judge panel reversed a ruling by the 152nd District Court in Harris County.
The new ruling said that the SJRA acted reasonably and that the property owners failed to prove their case. The property owners had accused the SJRA of causing or worsening their flooding during Hurricane Harvey as a result of releases from Lake Conroe.
Even so, the ruling runs to 33 pages. Every paragraph represents a Tylenol moment for the plaintiffs. From discussions of applicable law to standards of proof, expert witness testimony and more.
The justices relied heavily on the gravity and immediacy of the threat posed by Hurricane Harvey (page 18) in determining that SJRA deserved immunity. Harvey was “significantly serious” and “likely to produce great harm or danger,” they said (page 20).
Key Factors in Finding
The judges believed that SJRA acted “reasonably,” a pivotal word they applied. “SJRA created a Gate Policy that was intended to minimize threats to life and property and to comply with applicable rules and legal authority. Adhering to that policy during a storm emergency is objectively reasonable,” they added on Page 21.
Further they found (page 25) that the downstream property owners failed to prove that “the threat to life or property posed by Harvey [did] not qualify as grave and immediate.”
And they agreed with the SJRA (page 29) that releasing the stormwater from Lake Conroe was “necessary,” even though:
Some buffer existed before SJRA would have flooded upstream residents
The dam could have withstood higher levels.
In the end, they said (page 31), “The decision of whether, when, and how much, water to release was discretionary and the Property Owners have not presented evidence that the amount released was so extreme as to be objectively unreasonable.”
Conclusion: Reversal With Prejudice
Thus, they concluded, “We reverse the trial court’s order and render judgment dismissing with prejudice [emphasis added] the Property Owners’ statutory takings claims.”
A dismissal “with prejudice” means the case is over. Plaintiffs cannot refile the claim ever again. This final judgment permanently ends the lawsuit and prevents the same issues from relitigation in the future. Except through a successful appeal to a higher court.
It’s unclear how this case differs from several other similar takings cases arising out of Harvey. It’s also unclear at this point whether the plaintiffs will appeal the case.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/20/2025
2974 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SJRA-Lawsuit-Appeal-Win-e1761012101319.png?fit=1199%2C623&ssl=16231199adminadmin2025-10-20 21:24:082025-10-25 13:36:43SJRA Wins Appeal Against Downstream Homeowners
10/19/2025 – Yesterday, dozens of volunteers from across Kingwood joined together to make a huge difference in Median Madness Round 3. Young and old, male and female, Republicans and Democrats, they all worked side by side. For the good of their community, they attacked a stretch of Northpark Drive where vines and tree limbs had encroached on the roadway, reducing visibility and interfering with traffic.
An HPD officer described the problems. Drivers trying to cross Northpark had problems seeing oncoming traffic without pulling out into the road. Also, large trucks using the inside lane of Northpark next to the median would often swerve into the other lane to avoid overhanging limbs that would scratch their vehicles. The sudden swerves endangered traffic in the outside lane. But that’s no longer a problem. At least in this area near Woodland Hills Drive.
How Area Looks AFTER Clean Up Effort
Thanks to the volunteers and the help of the City workers who gave up their Saturday morning, visibility has radically improved. So have the aesthetics of Northpark Drive!
“After” photo taken on Sunday 10/19/25. Note the broad cleared area next to traffic.Quite an improvement!
Team That Made the Difference
Approximately three dozen volunteers joined members of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, and City Council Members Fred Flickinger and Julian Ramirez (far right) for the effort.Orientation at rally point.
After a brief orientation, they spread out along Northpark. Some trimmed back vegetation while the others piled up the limbs and vines for disposal. I don’t have the names of all those who participated. But we should all thank them for their efforts.
Team Goes Into Attack Mode
It was a miracle to watch as the pictures below show. Everyone did what needed doing. With a smile. After the orientation, they immediately assaulted the offending limbs and vines with a passion. (See pictures below.)
Professionals from Houston Parks and Recreation handled work high in the trees with special equipment...…while the volunteers with lopping shears handled the rest.Some people piled the debris……as fast as others could trim it.It was a wordless ballet of teamwork.People just did whatever needed doing.Gracie de LeonHumble ISDboard member Elizabeth Shaw (center with long dark hair)No one consistently carried bigger loads than City Council Member Julian Ramirez (At-Large Position #1).There is Ramirez again in the background, hefting another heavy load.James Cook made the Catch of the DayAddie Vincent came representing a group called the Greenbelt Guardians. They patrol Kingwood trails to pick up trash, report downed trees and keep trails clear.Council Member Flickinger (center) with Greenbelt GuardiansAddie Vincent (l) and Blaise Pawlak (r).
It was gratifying to see the next generation of Kingwood residents taking as much pride as their parents did in keeping Kingwood beautiful.
Debra Knebel of Hunters Ridge (l) and another happy volunteer.Knebel is also a board member of the Bear Branch Trail Association.Houston Parks and Recreation Department employee Janet Curtisstrikes a happy pose as her debris pile became taller than she is.
About the Greenbelt Guardians
According to Knebel, the Greenbelt Guardians are students from Kingwood High School, who volunteer to work on greenbelt beautification projects. They clear greenbelts and pick up debris for the various community and trail associations in Kingwood.
The Greenbelt Guardians are available to meet with the community and trail associations to discuss volunteer opportunities.
The leaders of the organization are Broderick Rosello, Blaise Pawlak, and Addie Vincent at Kingwood High School.
Reach out to them if you have time to give. They have an Instagram account: @kw.greenbelt.guardians.
Special Thanks
Thanks to everyone who turned out for Round 3 of Median Madness. You made a huge difference! And you are an inspiration!
Special thanks to Council Member Fred Flickinger for sponsoring the event and to his Deputy Chief of Staff Demari Perez for helping to organize and promote it.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/19/25
2973 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251018-DSC_3893.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2025-10-19 18:32:162025-10-20 11:08:47Median Madness Volunteers Made a Huge Difference … Again
Weather Disasters Cost More Than $100 Billion in First Half of 2025
10/22/25 – Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators who research weather trends, reported today that 14 separate billion-dollar weather disasters have occurred across the U.S. during the first six months of 2025. They caused $101.4 billion in damages.
Climate Central Now Updating Former NOAA Database
Climate Central has taken over the database of billion-dollar disasters that NOAA stopped updating earlier this year. The self-described “policy neutral” non-profit group addresses climate, sea-level rise, extreme weather, energy, and related topics.
Most Expensive 6 Months on Record
The 14 events recorded just in the first half of this year, between January and June, are well above the inflation-adjusted annual average of 9 events over the past 46 years.
According to Climate Central, the first half of 2025 was the most expensive on record, driven by unprecedented damage from the LA wildfires and damaging Spring severe weather.
The January LA wildfires were the costliest event so far this year — and the costliest wildfire on record — with damages exceeding $60 billion, nearly doubling the previous record.
Need for Data If Costs Shift to States
Climate Central is committed to keeping this critical dataset accessible, timely, and transparent, and will continue to update the analysis to monitor the risk of weather and climate-related disasters.
Adam Smith, Climate Central’s Senior Climate Impacts Scientist, said, “I’m proud to continue this work with Climate Central and to ensure that this vital information remains accessible to the public, researchers, and decision-makers.” Smith formerly headed up NOAA’s U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Program for 15 years.
The change from public to private comes as President Trump has said he wants to eventually shift the burden of disaster relief and recovery from the federal government onto states.
The dataset is available here: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-services/billion-dollar-disasters.
Causes Beyond Climate
While the first half of the year set records, it’s unclear how an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season while affect the final totals for the year. So far, not one Atlantic hurricane has made landfall in the mainland US this year, a first since 2005.
According to the New York Times, the annual average of billion-dollar disasters has surged from three per year during the 1980s to 19 per year during the last 10 years.
The increase in costs during that same period is not just a function of weather extremes. “As more people and businesses move into areas that are prone to floods and wildfire, more property is vulnerable to damage,” said the Times article.
The Times quoted Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute. He studies climate effects on communities and said the database serves as a powerful signal that decision making is costing us a lot of money.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/22/25
2976 Days since Hurricane Harvey
SJRA Wins Appeal Against Downstream Homeowners
October 20, 2025 – On October 16, 2025, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals ruled that the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) enjoyed governmental immunity in one set of “takings” claims arising out of Hurricane Harvey. The three-judge panel reversed a ruling by the 152nd District Court in Harris County.
The new ruling said that the SJRA acted reasonably and that the property owners failed to prove their case. The property owners had accused the SJRA of causing or worsening their flooding during Hurricane Harvey as a result of releases from Lake Conroe.
Case Specifics
The case in question – SJRA v. Thomas E. and Beth F. Ross, Et Al. included 295 appellees.
Even so, the ruling runs to 33 pages. Every paragraph represents a Tylenol moment for the plaintiffs. From discussions of applicable law to standards of proof, expert witness testimony and more.
The justices relied heavily on the gravity and immediacy of the threat posed by Hurricane Harvey (page 18) in determining that SJRA deserved immunity. Harvey was “significantly serious” and “likely to produce great harm or danger,” they said (page 20).
Key Factors in Finding
The judges believed that SJRA acted “reasonably,” a pivotal word they applied. “SJRA created a Gate Policy that was intended to minimize threats to life and property and to comply with applicable rules and legal authority. Adhering to that policy during a storm emergency is objectively reasonable,” they added on Page 21.
Further they found (page 25) that the downstream property owners failed to prove that “the threat to life or property posed by Harvey [did] not qualify as grave and immediate.”
And they agreed with the SJRA (page 29) that releasing the stormwater from Lake Conroe was “necessary,” even though:
In the end, they said (page 31), “The decision of whether, when, and how much, water to release was discretionary and the Property Owners have not presented evidence that the amount released was so extreme as to be objectively unreasonable.”
Conclusion: Reversal With Prejudice
Thus, they concluded, “We reverse the trial court’s order and render judgment dismissing with prejudice [emphasis added] the Property Owners’ statutory takings claims.”
A dismissal “with prejudice” means the case is over. Plaintiffs cannot refile the claim ever again. This final judgment permanently ends the lawsuit and prevents the same issues from relitigation in the future. Except through a successful appeal to a higher court.
It’s unclear how this case differs from several other similar takings cases arising out of Harvey. It’s also unclear at this point whether the plaintiffs will appeal the case.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/20/2025
2974 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Median Madness Volunteers Made a Huge Difference … Again
10/19/2025 – Yesterday, dozens of volunteers from across Kingwood joined together to make a huge difference in Median Madness Round 3. Young and old, male and female, Republicans and Democrats, they all worked side by side. For the good of their community, they attacked a stretch of Northpark Drive where vines and tree limbs had encroached on the roadway, reducing visibility and interfering with traffic.
An HPD officer described the problems. Drivers trying to cross Northpark had problems seeing oncoming traffic without pulling out into the road. Also, large trucks using the inside lane of Northpark next to the median would often swerve into the other lane to avoid overhanging limbs that would scratch their vehicles. The sudden swerves endangered traffic in the outside lane. But that’s no longer a problem. At least in this area near Woodland Hills Drive.
How Area Looks AFTER Clean Up Effort
Thanks to the volunteers and the help of the City workers who gave up their Saturday morning, visibility has radically improved. So have the aesthetics of Northpark Drive!
Team That Made the Difference
After a brief orientation, they spread out along Northpark. Some trimmed back vegetation while the others piled up the limbs and vines for disposal. I don’t have the names of all those who participated. But we should all thank them for their efforts.
Team Goes Into Attack Mode
It was a miracle to watch as the pictures below show. Everyone did what needed doing. With a smile. After the orientation, they immediately assaulted the offending limbs and vines with a passion. (See pictures below.)
It was gratifying to see the next generation of Kingwood residents taking as much pride as their parents did in keeping Kingwood beautiful.
About the Greenbelt Guardians
According to Knebel, the Greenbelt Guardians are students from Kingwood High School, who volunteer to work on greenbelt beautification projects. They clear greenbelts and pick up debris for the various community and trail associations in Kingwood.
The Greenbelt Guardians are available to meet with the community and trail associations to discuss volunteer opportunities.
The leaders of the organization are Broderick Rosello, Blaise Pawlak, and Addie Vincent at Kingwood High School.
Reach out to them if you have time to give. They have an Instagram account: @kw.greenbelt.guardians.
Special Thanks
Thanks to everyone who turned out for Round 3 of Median Madness. You made a huge difference! And you are an inspiration!
Special thanks to Council Member Fred Flickinger for sponsoring the event and to his Deputy Chief of Staff Demari Perez for helping to organize and promote it.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/19/25
2973 Days since Hurricane Harvey