It’s easy to forget flooding in the middle of a drought. But we should never forget that Texas ranks #2 in states with the most flood damage. This and other statistics below demonstrate why we shouldn’t become complacent.
Debris pile from Imelda flood in Elm Grove Village (Kingwood).
Different Measures, Similar Rankings
Many ways exist to rank flood-prone areas and Texas ranks high on most of them.
Most hurricanes? Out of the 300 hurricanes that made landfall in the US since 1851, Texas ranks #2 after Florida with 66 hitting the Lone Star state – 22% of the U.S. total.
Percentage of state’s total population living in floodplains? Texas ties for 10th according to a 2017 study. But a 2023 TWDB study shows that 20% of Texans now live in floodplains; that would tie us for 3rd if nothing else changed.
Most disaster declarations? Texas ranks #2 when considering all types.
Flood deaths? Texas ranks #1. Two hundred people died between 2010 and 2022. Over a longer period of time, 1959-2014, the state had over 850 flood deaths.
As bad as the Texas statistics are, Harris County’s are even worse.
Between 1978 and 2021, Harris County led all counties in the the entire countryfor NFIP claims filed (171,300), about 44% of the total claims for all of Texas.
It’s important to look at many different measures, because no one measure conveys the full picture. For instance:
Number of hurricanes also reflects miles of subtropical shoreline.
The sheer size and population of Texas make it rank high on many measures. Said another way, we are a big target.
The high clay content of our soils discourages infiltration and encourages runoff of rainfall.
Dollar losses may depend as much as on affluence or population density in floodplains as the severity of flooding.
Dollar losses in Texas also reflect old building codes in many locations.
And then there’s the huge number of mobile homes in Texas. They are notoriously susceptible to high winds, like those often associated with hurricanes.
Their placement also makes them more vulnerable to flooding than other types of housing. A study by Headwaters Economics found that one in seven mobile homes is located in an area with high flood risk, compared to one in 10 for all other housing types.
Texas, a Leader in…
Texas leads the nation in many things: oil, gas, cotton, job creation, economic expansion and more. Unfortunately, we’re also a leader in flooding.
That’s enough to make a dent in the state’s budget, but not the problem. Perhaps we need to re-examine our priorities.
Posted by Bob Rehak on September 4, 2023, Labor Day
2197 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Elm-Grove-9.19_71.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2023-09-04 17:02:452023-09-04 17:02:47Texas Ranks #2 in States with Most Flood Damage
When looking at buying property, your flood risk depends on at least ten factors. Unfortunately, people rarely consider most of them. Even if they do, they may not now how to assess them.
Harvey Flood. Photo by Sally Geis.
So, here’s a list of key factors that can increase or decrease your flood risk. I’ve also included examples and ways to explore their impact on your property or the property you’re considering buying:
Geography and Topography: The natural landscape of an area plays a significant role in its flood susceptibility. Flat, low-lying areas, river valleys, coastal regions, and areas near lakes or other bodies of water are more prone to flooding because water naturally collects in these locations. To investigate a particular area, check out resources such as the USGS National Map and FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer.
Proximity to Water Bodies: Areas near rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water bodies are at a higher risk of flooding. Riverine flooding, coastal flooding, and flash flooding can all occur in these regions. See any map or web sites such as RiskFactor.com.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns: Areas that receive heavy or prolonged rainfall are more likely to experience flooding. Rainfall can lead to flash floods, riverine flooding, and urban flooding when drainage systems are overwhelmed. In Texas, generally the farther east and closer to the coast you go, the more rainfall increases. To see the likelihood of precipitation in any given area, check out NOAA’s Atlas-14 site then investigate local infrastructure standards to see if they meet Atlas-14 standards or something less (prior). Also understand that NOAA is revising Atlas-14 already to incorporate impacts of climate change (see Atlas-15).
Climate and Weather Events: Areas prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, or other severe weather events are at risk of storm surges, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding. Here are several sites that can help you find reliable climate data.
Human Development: Urbanization and land development can increase flood risk. Paved surfaces and buildings can reduce natural drainage and increase runoff, overwhelming drainage systems. Harris County has proposed minimum drainage standards for areas draining into Harris County, but not all surrounding areas have adopted these standards yet.
Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Changes in land use, such as deforestation or the construction of roads and buildings, can alter natural water flow patterns and increase flood risk. Think you’re protected? Unfortunately for homeowners, many wetlands are now being destroyed. The EPA and Army Corps amended the definition of protected “waters of the United States” in light of the decision in Sackett v. EPA in May. It narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and the EPA’s power to regulate waterways and wetlands.
Infrastructure and Drainage Systems: The condition and capacity of drainage systems, including stormwater sewers and levees, can affect an area’s flood vulnerability. Inadequate or poorly maintained infrastructure can lead to flooding. After Harvey, Harris County Flood Control embarked on an ambitious expansion of flood-mitigation infrastructure, but recently spending has fallen. More in some areas than others. So stay alert to what’s happening in your area.
Historical Flooding: Areas with a history of flooding are often at continued risk, as past floods can indicate a region’s susceptibility to future events. In Harris County, MAAPnext provides an excellent series of historical flood maps to help you understand your flood risk.
Land-Use Planning and Floodplain Management: Effective land-use planning, zoning regulations, and floodplain management can help mitigate flood risk by restricting construction in flood-prone areas and implementing flood control measures. There’s no zoning in Houston and little in surrounding areas. We do have floodplain management regulations. When purchasing property, always look upstream to see if those regulations are effectively enforced.
Few things affect a property’s value more dramatically than flooding.
Yet flood risk can change over time – for better or worse. So buyer beware. Or buyer be wet.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/3/2023 with some help from ChatGPT
2196 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/2021/09/20170829-IMG_5756.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2023-09-03 13:37:262023-09-03 13:39:18Factors that Affect Flood Risk and How to Assess Them
Harper Brothers Construction has encountered another unexpected problem in the Northpark Drive expansion project. While attempting to place 5’x7′ culvert in the median, it uncovered a water line much closer to the surface than it should have been. While developing a solution with the City of Houston, crews will continue to focus on other areas of the project so as not to create excessive delays.
Those areas include:
A new water main near 494 and the UP railroad tracks
Clearing land for the new Northpark entry to Kingwood at 59.
For background detail and photos, see below.
Pics of Water-Line Conflict
This week, Harper Brothers discovered a water main where it should not have been. The contractor proposed water-line workarounds to the City, but the City has not yet agreed to a solution. The issue has to do with a water main running under Northpark to the new Parkwood Baptist Church east of Russell-Palmer. See the pictures below, courtesy of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA).
Workers discover a surprise. Water line under Northpark not where it was supposed to be.Water line should have been buried several feet deeper.One workaround could require burying a parallel line deep enough to allow placement of culvert over the top of it.
Harper Brothers Construction suggested another workaround – splicing in a U-shaped pipe that would leave enough room for the culvert it is burying in the median.
But until the City and LHRA agree on a solution Harper Brothers may have to skip past the obstruction and then go back at a later date to fill in the gap.
Second New Water Main Farther West
In the meantime, crews have already started prepping for placement of another water line that parallels Northpark closer to Loop 494. See picture below near Public Storage.
Looking SE. Note area being cleared in foreground for new water main and feeder roads next to bridge.
While Northpark will expand inward for most of its length, the feeder road next to the new bridge over 494 and the railroad tracks will expand outward. And because the City doesn’t like to run water mains under a roadway, contractors must also relocate this water main. It’s a much bigger job because it feeds numerous businesses, not just one church.
LHRA actually had to purchase additional land for this portion of the project – enough to accommodate a two-lane feeder road on each side of the bridge.
In the photo above, you can see Harper Brothers prepping land for the new water main and feeder lanes.
Plans for New Entry
The contractor will also soon start clearing the triangular area on the north side of Northpark at 59. Note construction materials stockpiled in the foreground of the photo below. Most, but not all of this area, will become a decorative pond that’s actually a stormwater detention basin in disguise. The pond will hold approximately 11 acre feet of stormwater in the space between the top of the permanent water level and ground level.
A second pond on the south side of Northpark will provide a similar amount of stormwater storage to compensate for the increase in impervious cover caused by road widening.
But not all the trees will go away. TxDoT requires that any trees removed must be replaced with trees of an identical diameter.
Site of first detention pond. Pond will be framed by trees that remain between Northpark and shopping center on right.Some trees will be relocated to the open areacurrently behind the grove.
Other trees will be relocated nearby, for instance, around the south pond which is more sparsely populated with trees.
South pond will have more room for transplanted trees around it.
In addition, the ponds when complete will have sidewalks and landscaping around them. TxDoT, LHRA and the Kingwood Service Association worked collaboratively on the designs for two years. A well will serve the area and feed an irrigation system to help ensure new plantings survive and thrive.
Here’s what the finished ponds and landscaping should look like.
CenterPoint Promises to Stake Out Problems Week of 9/3/23
Last week, we talked about 11 conflicts with CenterPoint along the Northpark Drive expansion project. CenterPoint has promised LHRA that it will send crews to “stake out” the problems next week. That is the first step in resolving conflicts.
Some of the CenterPoint conflictsthat have culvert placement stalled.
It’s always something in construction! Stay tuned for next week’s exciting episode of “As Northpark Expands.”
For a look ahead at the next three weeks of construction activity, click here.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/2/23
2195 Days since Hurricane Harveyand 10 days before the peak of hurricane season
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pond-Video.jpg?fit=1100%2C617&ssl=16171100adminadmin2023-09-02 07:17:372023-09-02 07:20:33New Design for Northpark Entry, Construction Schedule Update
Texas Ranks #2 in States with Most Flood Damage
It’s easy to forget flooding in the middle of a drought. But we should never forget that Texas ranks #2 in states with the most flood damage. This and other statistics below demonstrate why we shouldn’t become complacent.
Different Measures, Similar Rankings
Many ways exist to rank flood-prone areas and Texas ranks high on most of them.
Harris County Ranking
As bad as the Texas statistics are, Harris County’s are even worse.
Between 1978 and 2021, Harris County led all counties in the the entire country for NFIP claims filed (171,300), about 44% of the total claims for all of Texas.
Moreover, 42% of all Texans living in floodplains live in the San Jacinto watershed. The number of floodplain dwellers in the San Jacinto watershed alone exceeds the population of 15 states and the District of Columbia.
A Big Target
It’s important to look at many different measures, because no one measure conveys the full picture. For instance:
And then there’s the huge number of mobile homes in Texas. They are notoriously susceptible to high winds, like those often associated with hurricanes.
Their placement also makes them more vulnerable to flooding than other types of housing. A study by Headwaters Economics found that one in seven mobile homes is located in an area with high flood risk, compared to one in 10 for all other housing types.
Texas, a Leader in…
Texas leads the nation in many things: oil, gas, cotton, job creation, economic expansion and more. Unfortunately, we’re also a leader in flooding.
Better land-use and building codes could certainly help reduce the flooding. But will the state’s new flood plan recommend that? The focus seems to be on flood mitigation more than flood prevention.
The San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group recommended $46 billion worth of studies and mitigation projects in its regional plan. And the San Jacinto is just one of 15 watersheds in the state!
In sharp contrast to the magnitude of mitigation needs, the legislature voted only approximately $1 billion for flood prevention projects this year.
That’s enough to make a dent in the state’s budget, but not the problem. Perhaps we need to re-examine our priorities.
Posted by Bob Rehak on September 4, 2023, Labor Day
2197 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Factors that Affect Flood Risk and How to Assess Them
When looking at buying property, your flood risk depends on at least ten factors. Unfortunately, people rarely consider most of them. Even if they do, they may not now how to assess them.
So, here’s a list of key factors that can increase or decrease your flood risk. I’ve also included examples and ways to explore their impact on your property or the property you’re considering buying:
Few things affect a property’s value more dramatically than flooding.
Yet flood risk can change over time – for better or worse. So buyer beware. Or buyer be wet.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/3/2023 with some help from ChatGPT
2196 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.
New Design for Northpark Entry, Construction Schedule Update
Harper Brothers Construction has encountered another unexpected problem in the Northpark Drive expansion project. While attempting to place 5’x7′ culvert in the median, it uncovered a water line much closer to the surface than it should have been. While developing a solution with the City of Houston, crews will continue to focus on other areas of the project so as not to create excessive delays.
Those areas include:
For background detail and photos, see below.
Pics of Water-Line Conflict
This week, Harper Brothers discovered a water main where it should not have been. The contractor proposed water-line workarounds to the City, but the City has not yet agreed to a solution. The issue has to do with a water main running under Northpark to the new Parkwood Baptist Church east of Russell-Palmer. See the pictures below, courtesy of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA).
Harper Brothers Construction suggested another workaround – splicing in a U-shaped pipe that would leave enough room for the culvert it is burying in the median.
But until the City and LHRA agree on a solution Harper Brothers may have to skip past the obstruction and then go back at a later date to fill in the gap.
Second New Water Main Farther West
In the meantime, crews have already started prepping for placement of another water line that parallels Northpark closer to Loop 494. See picture below near Public Storage.
While Northpark will expand inward for most of its length, the feeder road next to the new bridge over 494 and the railroad tracks will expand outward. And because the City doesn’t like to run water mains under a roadway, contractors must also relocate this water main. It’s a much bigger job because it feeds numerous businesses, not just one church.
LHRA actually had to purchase additional land for this portion of the project – enough to accommodate a two-lane feeder road on each side of the bridge.
In the photo above, you can see Harper Brothers prepping land for the new water main and feeder lanes.
Plans for New Entry
The contractor will also soon start clearing the triangular area on the north side of Northpark at 59. Note construction materials stockpiled in the foreground of the photo below. Most, but not all of this area, will become a decorative pond that’s actually a stormwater detention basin in disguise. The pond will hold approximately 11 acre feet of stormwater in the space between the top of the permanent water level and ground level.
A second pond on the south side of Northpark will provide a similar amount of stormwater storage to compensate for the increase in impervious cover caused by road widening.
But not all the trees will go away. TxDoT requires that any trees removed must be replaced with trees of an identical diameter.
Other trees will be relocated nearby, for instance, around the south pond which is more sparsely populated with trees.
In addition, the ponds when complete will have sidewalks and landscaping around them. TxDoT, LHRA and the Kingwood Service Association worked collaboratively on the designs for two years. A well will serve the area and feed an irrigation system to help ensure new plantings survive and thrive.
Here’s what the finished ponds and landscaping should look like.
For the full entry landscaping plans, click here.
Clearing was to have begun on Tuesday morning after Labor Day. However, that may be delayed now. Late on Friday afternoon several logistical issues involved with relocating the trees became apparent.
CenterPoint Promises to Stake Out Problems Week of 9/3/23
Last week, we talked about 11 conflicts with CenterPoint along the Northpark Drive expansion project. CenterPoint has promised LHRA that it will send crews to “stake out” the problems next week. That is the first step in resolving conflicts.
It’s always something in construction! Stay tuned for next week’s exciting episode of “As Northpark Expands.”
For a look ahead at the next three weeks of construction activity, click here.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/2/23
2195 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 10 days before the peak of hurricane season