5/23/24 – The past may be catching up with Montgomery County. Heavy rains earlier this month may have flooded more homes in Montgomery County than Harris.
For decades, many Montgomery County leaders refused to acknowledge that they had a flooding problem. Neither, for that matter, did they seem exceptionally concerned about the downstream impact that lax regulations and enforcement had on flooding in Harris County.
For instance, they failed to:
Establish a flood control district.
Keep drainage channels clear and well maintained.
Update floodplain data from the 1980s.
Update their subdivision and drainage criteria regulations.
Close loopholes that let developers avoid building stormwater detention basins.
Fund the inspection of new infrastructure to ensure it complied with regulations.
Adequately regulate sand mining.
In fact, they encouraged exponential growth of sand mining by giving miners ag and timber exemptions on their real estate taxes, which the Texas Comptroller says they are not entitled to.
Flooded subdivision near West Fork San Jacinto in Montgomery County. Photo 5/22/24.
Floodplains as a Shifting Target
As a result of all these issues, flooding problems got worse over time. People who had built homes and even entire developments too close to rivers and streams flooded repeatedly. Homes deteriorated and lost value.
Young first-time homebuyers and other low-income people snapped them up, hoping they wouldn’t flood. In some cases, the homeowners didn’t even think they needed flood insurance because of the out-of-date flood maps. Many lost life savings and lived in deplorable conditions until they could scrimp together enough savings to fix their homes.
Many also sought buyouts and disaster relief. But such expenses usually fall on the federal government. So Montgomery County had little incentive to change on that count.
As a result of shortsighted policies and willful blindness, some MoCo leaders presided over the decay of once-proud homes into flood-ravaged housing stock.
And now, that damaged housing stock has created festering eyesores that may tarnish the image of the county as a destination for those trying to flee Harris County’s problems.
Flooded street one mile from West Fork San Jacinto in Montgomery County. Photo 5/22/24.
Self-Destructive Policies Hit Home
The self-destructive policies listed above have become…well…self destructive.
Leaders of decades past could explain away Harvey. “A 1000 year storm!”
But what about the no-name storm of May 2024? Ten-year rains produced so-called “50-year flooding” that rose higher than floodwaters from Tropical Storm Imelda – a greater than 500-year storm. MoCo math strikes again.
I drove for six hours through Montgomery County yesterday, visiting one flooded neighborhood after another. As victims continued to drag waterlogged drywall, carpet, insulation and furniture to the curb, they did not have good things to say about some elected officials.
FEMA Disaster Recovery officials swarmed neighborhoods like this today(5/22/24).
Downriver from the scene above, the main drainage channel through a new development called Evergreen has turned into a river of mud because of rampant erosion. It appears to have no:
Silt fences.
Backslope interceptor swales.
Grass on the sides of ditches.
Evergreen in Montgomery County at SH242 and FM1314 drains into West Fork below the flooded homes above.Did the erosion here reduce the conveyance of the river, back water up and contribute to flooding?
Will Change Come Anytime Soon?
Yes, the past may be catching up with Montgomery County. But change must come from within the county. Harris County can’t dictate it.
The final figures are not yet in. But based on an unscientific “driving around” survey, it appears that Montgomery County suffered as much flooding as Harris County did this May – if not more.
This should be a wake-up call for a course correction by Montgomery County leaders before it’s too late.
Since taking office a short while ago, newly elected MoCo Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray has fought hard to upgrade MoCo standards. The rest of Montgomery County drains through his precinct. Perhaps this event will open the eyes of his fellow Commissioners and County Judge.
We’re all in this together. Even the people north of Lake Conroe will live downstream from others in fast-growing, surrounding counties someday as the region expands relentlessly outward.
The sand mines will follow that growth. Get ready. They’re coming.
San Jacinto River, blocked by sand, now flows through abandoned West Fork sand mine, sending even more sediment downriver.
Dozens of Montgomery County homes flooded downstream from the fiasco in the photo above. Sedimentation may have played a role as it has in the past. It’s just too early to tell.
The time to reach out and work together is now. Not after MoCo math and stuck-in-the-past policies start to look attractive to commissioners and judges in surrounding Liberty, Waller, Grimes, Walker and San Jacinto Counties.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/23/24
2359 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DJI_20240522153608_0776_D.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=16751200adminadmin2024-05-22 23:34:592024-05-23 12:06:46Past Catching Up With Montgomery County
May 21, 2024 – After a second round of May floods (and the third this year), all river levels are falling today. The East Fork, West Fork and main stem of the San Jacinto River are finally falling this morning. So are the water levels in Lake Conroe and Lake Houston.
But sedimentation will likely be a problem when floodwaters totally recede.
Gage Readings For Lake Conroe
The gates at Lake Conroe are still open, but only releasing 1,599 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS). That’s about a twelfth of what the San Jacinto River Authority released at the peak of this second wave of May floods.
The graph below shows that the lake level is slowly approaching its normal conservation pool of 201 feet.
Note distances to flowage easement and top of dam. Homes around lake should be built above flowage easement.
All Gage Readings on West Fork Falling
In response, the West Fork at US59 fell below flood stage yesterday evening and continues to fall.
River Grove Park is draining, but the soccer fields are not yet playable.
River Grove Park draining on 5/20/24 at 5PM after flood peak passed
At West Lake Houston Parkway, the West Fork is well within its banks and falling.
Readings on East Fork
Upstream on the East Fork at SH105, the East Fork crest has passed and the river continues to fall.
At FM2090, the East Fork is 4 feet below flood stage and falling.
The East Fork fell below flood stage yesterday afternoon at FM1485 and continues to fall.
Lake Houston and Below
At the FM1960 bridge over Lake Houston, the level continues to fall well below flood stage, but is still about a foot above normal.
At the Lake Houston dam, water levels are also falling, but the lake is also about a foot above the spillway.
Floodwaters are still being released from the lake via both the gates and spillway.
The gates can release 10,000 CFS. That means about another 7,500 CFS are going over the spillway.
Downstream, on the main stem of the San Jacinto at Highway 90, the river is well below flood stage and continuing to fall.
West Fork Still Flowing Through Abandoned Sand Pit
That’s all great news. But the West Fork is still flowing through an abandoned sand pit near the Hallett Mine. You can see the impact at the confluence of the West Fork and Spring Creek.
Confluence of Spring Creek (left) and West Fork San Jacinto (Right) on 5/20/24 at 5 PM.
Can Water Moving at 5 MPH Transport Sand?
I measured debris coming out of the pit. It was moving at approximately 5 miles per hour (MPH).
Despite what some miners claim, 5 MPH should be more than enough to carry sand downriver.
Below is an industry-standard graph that shows the speed necessary to erode, transport and deposit sand/sediment of different particle sizes. Hydrologists and geologists call it a Hjulström curve, named after Filip Hjulström (1902–1982), the man who developed it.
After converting centimeters per second to miles per hour, I superimposed the speed of the river as a blue line over the graph.
The scientific Unified Soil Classification System defines sand as particles with a diameter of 0.074 to 4.75 millimeters. I rendered that range in red at the bottom of the chart.
Blue indicates speed of water. Red indicates range of sand sizes.
Floodwater moving at 5 MPH can transport the entire range of sand sizes according to the Hjulström curve. You can see it in the photo above.
The river will need to recede before we can see exactly how much moved down to the West Fork between Humble and Kingwood, or settled at the mouth of the river near Lake Houston.
In fairness, some of the sediment deposited downstream came from natural erosion from riverbanks. But there was also unnatural erosion from development and (I have heard) other mines. It is impossible to apportion responsibility precisely.
What we can safely say is that sand mining practices have increased sedimentation downstream and few people seem eager to fight the industry … even as we get ready to launch another round of dredging that will cost taxpayers $34 million.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/21/24
2457 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240520-DJI_20240520175218_0749_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-05-21 13:01:342024-05-21 13:06:00All River Levels Falling, Flood Danger Over, But…
5/20/24 – A disaster declaration by Governor Abbott that covers May flood and windstorm damage has been partially approved by President Biden. That means FEMA disaster Assistance is now available for people who suffered damage in the Lake Houston Area plus Harris, Montgomery, Liberty and four more counties.
This post explains eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
After inspection, people can be eligible for a number of benefits, including:
$750 in serious needs assistance
Displacement assistance for temporary housing
Home Repair Assistance
Home damage from East Fork in May 2024flooding
In addition, money may become available to governmental entities for mitigation assistance. Harris County will hold a special session of Commissioners Court tomorrow, in part, to discuss contracts for disaster response, debris removal and more.
Text of FEMA Press Release
AUSTIN – Texans who sustained damage from the recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began April 26 may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Currently, residents living in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties may be eligible for disaster assistance.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Texans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.
New Benefits for Immediate Funds
Serious Needs Assistance, a $750 payment for households for essential items will now be provided in all disasters receiving Individual Assistanceto help people make ends meet.
Displacement Assistance, a new benefit that will provide people with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, to keep people housed.
Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are both funded after a completed inspection confirms eligibility.
Apply to FEMA
Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.
Additional Assistance and Benefits
Streamlined Application Requirements so people can apply to SBA and FEMA at the same time.
Support for Underinsured People for the first time to help them cover aspects of home repair that insurance companies won’t pay for, but they can’t afford on their own, up to the full $42,500.
Simplified Assistance for Entrepreneurs by providing self-employed people with some initial financial support to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment to help them land on their feet.
Ex.: computers if you are a gig worker, lawnmower if you are a landscaper
Expanded Habitability Criteria to help people make their homes safer and cleaner post-disaster and so they can repair all aspects of their home post-disaster.
Previously, if a home had a leaky roof pre-disaster, that area of the home wouldn’t qualify.
Made Accessibility Improvements to help people with disabilities improve their living conditions by making their homes even more accessible than they were pre-disaster.
Streamlined Temporary Housing Assistance Applications by reducing documentation requirements for applicants who need to extend their stay in FEMA-supported temporary housing.
Simplified the Process for Appeals so people who wish to appeal FEMA’s decisions will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.
Computer Assistance for people who need to repair or replace disaster-damaged computers.
Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing
If you currently reside in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.
Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:
Home Repair Assistance may be provided to homeowners to repair the structural parts of your home. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems) and entrance ways. FEMA may also reimburse for the actual cost to repair or replace your furnace, private well and septic system that was damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
Here is a PDF of FEMA’s press release that you can print and give to friends, neighbors and family members who may not have power.
Status of Other Counties Affected by Storms
The Governor’s press release states that presidential approval of the disaster request for other counties remains under review. Many counties are still collecting damage estimates.
Types of Eligible Expenses
Abbott’s press release also states that qualifying Texans who sustained damage may apply for FEMA Individual Assistance Program funding to assist with expenses, such as “temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.”
Hazard Mitigation Component
President Biden’s approval also authorizes additional FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resources to be made available. It’s not clear yet where that money would go or how it would be spent.
Harris County Commissioner’s Court will hold a special meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. On the Agenda, Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge has requested a discussion and possible action related to the disaster.
The discussion will include contracts for disaster response, debris removal, and recovery.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/20/24
2456 Days since Hurricane Harvey and two weeks since the last disaster
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240518-RJR_3529.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2024-05-20 11:51:022024-05-20 15:20:01FEMA Disaster Assistance Available
Past Catching Up With Montgomery County
5/23/24 – The past may be catching up with Montgomery County. Heavy rains earlier this month may have flooded more homes in Montgomery County than Harris.
For decades, many Montgomery County leaders refused to acknowledge that they had a flooding problem. Neither, for that matter, did they seem exceptionally concerned about the downstream impact that lax regulations and enforcement had on flooding in Harris County.
For instance, they failed to:
In fact, they encouraged exponential growth of sand mining by giving miners ag and timber exemptions on their real estate taxes, which the Texas Comptroller says they are not entitled to.
Floodplains as a Shifting Target
As a result of all these issues, flooding problems got worse over time. People who had built homes and even entire developments too close to rivers and streams flooded repeatedly. Homes deteriorated and lost value.
Young first-time homebuyers and other low-income people snapped them up, hoping they wouldn’t flood. In some cases, the homeowners didn’t even think they needed flood insurance because of the out-of-date flood maps. Many lost life savings and lived in deplorable conditions until they could scrimp together enough savings to fix their homes.
Many also sought buyouts and disaster relief. But such expenses usually fall on the federal government. So Montgomery County had little incentive to change on that count.
As a result of shortsighted policies and willful blindness, some MoCo leaders presided over the decay of once-proud homes into flood-ravaged housing stock.
And now, that damaged housing stock has created festering eyesores that may tarnish the image of the county as a destination for those trying to flee Harris County’s problems.
Self-Destructive Policies Hit Home
The self-destructive policies listed above have become…well…self destructive.
Leaders of decades past could explain away Harvey. “A 1000 year storm!”
But what about the no-name storm of May 2024? Ten-year rains produced so-called “50-year flooding” that rose higher than floodwaters from Tropical Storm Imelda – a greater than 500-year storm. MoCo math strikes again.
I drove for six hours through Montgomery County yesterday, visiting one flooded neighborhood after another. As victims continued to drag waterlogged drywall, carpet, insulation and furniture to the curb, they did not have good things to say about some elected officials.
Downriver from the scene above, the main drainage channel through a new development called Evergreen has turned into a river of mud because of rampant erosion. It appears to have no:
Will Change Come Anytime Soon?
Yes, the past may be catching up with Montgomery County. But change must come from within the county. Harris County can’t dictate it.
The final figures are not yet in. But based on an unscientific “driving around” survey, it appears that Montgomery County suffered as much flooding as Harris County did this May – if not more.
This should be a wake-up call for a course correction by Montgomery County leaders before it’s too late.
Since taking office a short while ago, newly elected MoCo Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray has fought hard to upgrade MoCo standards. The rest of Montgomery County drains through his precinct. Perhaps this event will open the eyes of his fellow Commissioners and County Judge.
We’re all in this together. Even the people north of Lake Conroe will live downstream from others in fast-growing, surrounding counties someday as the region expands relentlessly outward.
The sand mines will follow that growth. Get ready. They’re coming.
Dozens of Montgomery County homes flooded downstream from the fiasco in the photo above. Sedimentation may have played a role as it has in the past. It’s just too early to tell.
The time to reach out and work together is now. Not after MoCo math and stuck-in-the-past policies start to look attractive to commissioners and judges in surrounding Liberty, Waller, Grimes, Walker and San Jacinto Counties.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/23/24
2359 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
All River Levels Falling, Flood Danger Over, But…
May 21, 2024 – After a second round of May floods (and the third this year), all river levels are falling today. The East Fork, West Fork and main stem of the San Jacinto River are finally falling this morning. So are the water levels in Lake Conroe and Lake Houston.
But sedimentation will likely be a problem when floodwaters totally recede.
Gage Readings For Lake Conroe
The gates at Lake Conroe are still open, but only releasing 1,599 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS). That’s about a twelfth of what the San Jacinto River Authority released at the peak of this second wave of May floods.
The graph below shows that the lake level is slowly approaching its normal conservation pool of 201 feet.
All Gage Readings on West Fork Falling
In response, the West Fork at US59 fell below flood stage yesterday evening and continues to fall.
River Grove Park is draining, but the soccer fields are not yet playable.
At West Lake Houston Parkway, the West Fork is well within its banks and falling.
Readings on East Fork
Upstream on the East Fork at SH105, the East Fork crest has passed and the river continues to fall.
At FM2090, the East Fork is 4 feet below flood stage and falling.
The East Fork fell below flood stage yesterday afternoon at FM1485 and continues to fall.
Lake Houston and Below
At the FM1960 bridge over Lake Houston, the level continues to fall well below flood stage, but is still about a foot above normal.
At the Lake Houston dam, water levels are also falling, but the lake is also about a foot above the spillway.
Floodwaters are still being released from the lake via both the gates and spillway.
The gates can release 10,000 CFS. That means about another 7,500 CFS are going over the spillway.
Downstream, on the main stem of the San Jacinto at Highway 90, the river is well below flood stage and continuing to fall.
West Fork Still Flowing Through Abandoned Sand Pit
That’s all great news. But the West Fork is still flowing through an abandoned sand pit near the Hallett Mine. You can see the impact at the confluence of the West Fork and Spring Creek.
Can Water Moving at 5 MPH Transport Sand?
I measured debris coming out of the pit. It was moving at approximately 5 miles per hour (MPH).
Despite what some miners claim, 5 MPH should be more than enough to carry sand downriver.
Below is an industry-standard graph that shows the speed necessary to erode, transport and deposit sand/sediment of different particle sizes. Hydrologists and geologists call it a Hjulström curve, named after Filip Hjulström (1902–1982), the man who developed it.
After converting centimeters per second to miles per hour, I superimposed the speed of the river as a blue line over the graph.
The scientific Unified Soil Classification System defines sand as particles with a diameter of 0.074 to 4.75 millimeters. I rendered that range in red at the bottom of the chart.
Floodwater moving at 5 MPH can transport the entire range of sand sizes according to the Hjulström curve. You can see it in the photo above.
The abandoned pit captured by the river is about a mile long and a half-mile wide.
The river will need to recede before we can see exactly how much moved down to the West Fork between Humble and Kingwood, or settled at the mouth of the river near Lake Houston.
In fairness, some of the sediment deposited downstream came from natural erosion from riverbanks. But there was also unnatural erosion from development and (I have heard) other mines. It is impossible to apportion responsibility precisely.
What we can safely say is that sand mining practices have increased sedimentation downstream and few people seem eager to fight the industry … even as we get ready to launch another round of dredging that will cost taxpayers $34 million.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/21/24
2457 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
FEMA Disaster Assistance Available
5/20/24 – A disaster declaration by Governor Abbott that covers May flood and windstorm damage has been partially approved by President Biden. That means FEMA disaster Assistance is now available for people who suffered damage in the Lake Houston Area plus Harris, Montgomery, Liberty and four more counties.
This post explains eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
After inspection, people can be eligible for a number of benefits, including:
In addition, money may become available to governmental entities for mitigation assistance. Harris County will hold a special session of Commissioners Court tomorrow, in part, to discuss contracts for disaster response, debris removal and more.
Text of FEMA Press Release
AUSTIN – Texans who sustained damage from the recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began April 26 may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Currently, residents living in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties may be eligible for disaster assistance.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Texans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.
New Benefits for Immediate Funds
Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are both funded after a completed inspection confirms eligibility.
Apply to FEMA
Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.
Additional Assistance and Benefits
Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing
If you currently reside in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.
Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:
For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
Here is a PDF of FEMA’s press release that you can print and give to friends, neighbors and family members who may not have power.
Status of Other Counties Affected by Storms
The Governor’s press release states that presidential approval of the disaster request for other counties remains under review. Many counties are still collecting damage estimates.
Types of Eligible Expenses
Abbott’s press release also states that qualifying Texans who sustained damage may apply for FEMA Individual Assistance Program funding to assist with expenses, such as “temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.”
Hazard Mitigation Component
President Biden’s approval also authorizes additional FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resources to be made available. It’s not clear yet where that money would go or how it would be spent.
Harris County Commissioner’s Court will hold a special meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. On the Agenda, Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge has requested a discussion and possible action related to the disaster.
The discussion will include contracts for disaster response, debris removal, and recovery.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/20/24
2456 Days since Hurricane Harvey and two weeks since the last disaster