The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has produced a disaster preparedness video guaranteed to make you smile. It features GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, MD, unpacking a disaster preparedness kit with several very young and very cute Texans. The 3-minute video is both informative and fun. Make sure you watch it with your children or grandchildren.
Every Texan, regardless of age should know how to pack a go-bag. Said Buckingham, “Including your children in your planning and preparations helps ensure the next generation will be ready for potential severe weather events. Plus, you just never know what they’ll say!”
Whether excessive heat waves, powerful tornadoes or damaging hurricanes, it is important to be prepared to evacuate. Texas has had 372 declared disasters since 1953. That’s more than five per year!
Of Texas’ total declarations, more than 30% happened in August or later. Evacuations are more common than most may think, and few disasters come with a lot of warning time.
Important Steps
As we approach the peak of hurricane season in the next month, the GLO encourages all Texans to prepare by doing the following:
Know Your Risk – Sign up for your community’s emergency warning system. The Harris County Flood Warning System lets you customize flood alerts by the watershed you live in, the gages nearest you, the amount of rainfall, and the water level in the nearest stream/river. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Make Your Evacuation Plan – Check with local officials about updated evacuation shelters for this year. Know where your family will meet up if you are separated and where you will stay. Pack a “go bag” including items you need to take with you if you evacuate. A “go bag” should be easy to carry and kept in a place where you can grab it quickly. Check with drivetexas.org to find routes near you. To find a shelter near you, download the FEMA app at fema.gov/mobile-app.
Gather Supplies – Plan for your entire household including children, people with disabilities or access/functional needs, and pets.
Secure Documents – Remember to secure copies of important personal documents. Filing for government assistance requires documentation. Be sure to keep documents in a secure location and take them with you if you need to evacuate. Place these documents in a waterproof bag and back them up on cloud storage or a thumb drive.
Photograph the condition of your home and the items in it. That may prove valuable when making insurance claims.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unboxing-video-still_original.png?fit=624%2C349&ssl=1349624adminadmin2023-08-14 13:25:192023-08-14 13:27:33This Disaster Preparedness Video Will Make You Smile
Two weeks short of Harvey’s sixth anniversary, FM1010, the main north/south artery between Huffman and Cleveland is still blown out due to excessive, uncontrolled runoff from Colony Ridge. Colony Ridge is the world’s largest trailer park and it’s just upstream near the East Fork San Jacinto in Liberty County. The productivity loss of local residents could easily have added up to half of a billion dollars by now.
Photos taken 8/12/23
I took all the photos below from a helicopter on Saturday, 8/12/23.
Blown out portion of FM1010, aka the Huffman-Cleveland Roadand Plum Grove RoadThe washout forces tens of thousands of nearby residents to take detour.
During rush hours, the backups on FM2090 from traffic trying to get to US59 can stretch miles because of failure to repair this bridge.
The washed out bridge lies at the end of this 2-mile Colony Ridge water cannon.This Colony Ridge drainage ditch, like most others, does not have backslope interceptor swales to help control erosionor runoff.
Neither does this part of Colony Ridge have detention basins to help reduce the amount of runoff flowing into the East Fork San Jacinto.
Estimated Cost of Delays
I wonder if it’s even possible to accurately calculate the number of “people hours” lost to the senseless washout of the FM1010 bridge. But I will try.
For the sake of argument:
Assume 10,000 commuters are inconvenienced for an hour a day (half hour each way).
Multiply that times 365 days and then again by 6 years. You come close to 22 million hours.
Now multiply that times $25/hour.
Assuming these numbers are even in the ballpark, the washout could have cost local residents more than half of a billion dollars. Geez! How much can a twin culvert bridge and some blacktop cost?!
Expansion Accelerates Despite Access Issue
But that hasn’t stopped the Colony Ridge developer from expanding.
Colony Ridge now comprises more than 30 square miles. It has virtually doubled in size in the last two years.Landsat photo from 7/18/23courtesy of Google Earth.
The development started around 2010. It now occupies 50% more land than Kingwood, which is now more than 50 years old.
The developer must be banking on a rapid increase in demand. He reportedly advertises in Mexico and Central America. The pitch: “Own your piece of America.”
Here’s what that looks like:
Note how the back yard is eroding into the drainage ditch.Photo courtesy of Chris Russo.
Long-Time Plum Grove Resident Worries about Evacuation During Storms
The long ditch above drains into Rocky Branch. According to a long-time Plum Grove resident, the stream was completely invisible from FM1010 “back in 2008 and 2011 even.” Then, he says, “Colony Ridge excavators and dozers showed up.” They widened and deepened the stream, but on the Colony Ridge side of the culverts only!
According to the resident, FEMA engineers have told Plum Grove that an actual bridge is now required to convey all the water and survive any length of time.
The resident vividly recalls Hurricane Rita approaching the Texas coastline in 2005 – before Colony Ridge. He said, “There was complete gridlock thru the City of Plum Grove as people from the Crosby and Beaumont areas were trying to evacuate inland. Plum Grove Road was bumper to bumper for 3 full days. Residents could not leave or get back home due to the gridlock thru our little city. How will THAT play out when the next Cat IV or V storm approaches us now that all the dense forests have been cleared?”
Good question!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/13/23
2175 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/2023/08/20230812-RJR_2135.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2023-08-13 19:33:252023-08-14 10:35:55Six Years After Harvey, Bridge Still Blown Out at Colony Ridge
I flew over Lake Houston this morning in a helicopter. I expected to see the barren lake bed in places like you could during the 2011 drought. However, much to my surprise, the lake was virtually full.
Coastal Water Authority Shows Lake Down Only 6 Inches
The Coastal Water Authority, which manages the lake for the City of Houston, shows Lake Houston is only down a half foot.
Water was lapping at the edge of the the spillway.
Lake Houston Dam spillway. Photo take 8/12/23 at approximately 10am.
SJRA Shows Lake Conroe Down About 15 Inches
Lake Conroe is down about 15 inches from its normal conservation pool (the target level). And it hasn’t released any water downstream toward Lake Houston in months. The SJRA’s dashboard shows
Luce Bayou InterBasin Transfer Canal Bringing the Water
So what’s keeping Lake Houston full? What is offsetting drought and evaporation?
A quick check of the gages on the Harris County flood warning system shows areas far upstream have gotten small amounts of rain. But the most water we saw moving all day was coming from the Trinity River via the Luce Bayou InterBasin transfer project.
Luce Bayou Inter-Basin transfer canal bringing water to Lake Houston from the Trinity River on 8/12/23 at 9 am.
Lake Conroe got enough rain to offset some evaporation but not enough to supply Montgomery and Harris Counties.
It’s nice to have backups for Lake Houston in a drought, especially widely scattered backups that can capture rain moving through different parts of the region.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/12/23
2174 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230812-RJR_1744.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2023-08-12 18:56:222023-08-12 18:57:40Why Lake Houston Is So Full in a Drought
This Disaster Preparedness Video Will Make You Smile
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has produced a disaster preparedness video guaranteed to make you smile. It features GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, MD, unpacking a disaster preparedness kit with several very young and very cute Texans. The 3-minute video is both informative and fun. Make sure you watch it with your children or grandchildren.
Every Texan, regardless of age should know how to pack a go-bag. Said Buckingham, “Including your children in your planning and preparations helps ensure the next generation will be ready for potential severe weather events. Plus, you just never know what they’ll say!”
Importance of Disaster Preparedness
Whether excessive heat waves, powerful tornadoes or damaging hurricanes, it is important to be prepared to evacuate. Texas has had 372 declared disasters since 1953. That’s more than five per year!
Of Texas’ total declarations, more than 30% happened in August or later. Evacuations are more common than most may think, and few disasters come with a lot of warning time.
Important Steps
As we approach the peak of hurricane season in the next month, the GLO encourages all Texans to prepare by doing the following:
For More Disaster Preparedness Information
Download the GLO’s Disaster Evacuation Checklist for more information. Find resources for family and pet preparedness at www.recovery.texas.gov/preparedness.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/14/2023
2176 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Six Years After Harvey, Bridge Still Blown Out at Colony Ridge
Two weeks short of Harvey’s sixth anniversary, FM1010, the main north/south artery between Huffman and Cleveland is still blown out due to excessive, uncontrolled runoff from Colony Ridge. Colony Ridge is the world’s largest trailer park and it’s just upstream near the East Fork San Jacinto in Liberty County. The productivity loss of local residents could easily have added up to half of a billion dollars by now.
Photos taken 8/12/23
I took all the photos below from a helicopter on Saturday, 8/12/23.
During rush hours, the backups on FM2090 from traffic trying to get to US59 can stretch miles because of failure to repair this bridge.
Neither does this part of Colony Ridge have detention basins to help reduce the amount of runoff flowing into the East Fork San Jacinto.
Estimated Cost of Delays
I wonder if it’s even possible to accurately calculate the number of “people hours” lost to the senseless washout of the FM1010 bridge. But I will try.
For the sake of argument:
Assuming these numbers are even in the ballpark, the washout could have cost local residents more than half of a billion dollars. Geez! How much can a twin culvert bridge and some blacktop cost?!
Expansion Accelerates Despite Access Issue
But that hasn’t stopped the Colony Ridge developer from expanding.
The development started around 2010. It now occupies 50% more land than Kingwood, which is now more than 50 years old.
The developer must be banking on a rapid increase in demand. He reportedly advertises in Mexico and Central America. The pitch: “Own your piece of America.”
Here’s what that looks like:
Long-Time Plum Grove Resident Worries about Evacuation During Storms
The long ditch above drains into Rocky Branch. According to a long-time Plum Grove resident, the stream was completely invisible from FM1010 “back in 2008 and 2011 even.” Then, he says, “Colony Ridge excavators and dozers showed up.” They widened and deepened the stream, but on the Colony Ridge side of the culverts only!
According to the resident, FEMA engineers have told Plum Grove that an actual bridge is now required to convey all the water and survive any length of time.
The resident vividly recalls Hurricane Rita approaching the Texas coastline in 2005 – before Colony Ridge. He said, “There was complete gridlock thru the City of Plum Grove as people from the Crosby and Beaumont areas were trying to evacuate inland. Plum Grove Road was bumper to bumper for 3 full days. Residents could not leave or get back home due to the gridlock thru our little city. How will THAT play out when the next Cat IV or V storm approaches us now that all the dense forests have been cleared?”
Good question!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/13/23
2175 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.
Why Lake Houston Is So Full in a Drought
I flew over Lake Houston this morning in a helicopter. I expected to see the barren lake bed in places like you could during the 2011 drought. However, much to my surprise, the lake was virtually full.
Coastal Water Authority Shows Lake Down Only 6 Inches
The Coastal Water Authority, which manages the lake for the City of Houston, shows Lake Houston is only down a half foot.
Water was lapping at the edge of the the spillway.
SJRA Shows Lake Conroe Down About 15 Inches
Lake Conroe is down about 15 inches from its normal conservation pool (the target level). And it hasn’t released any water downstream toward Lake Houston in months. The SJRA’s dashboard shows
Luce Bayou InterBasin Transfer Canal Bringing the Water
So what’s keeping Lake Houston full? What is offsetting drought and evaporation?
A quick check of the gages on the Harris County flood warning system shows areas far upstream have gotten small amounts of rain. But the most water we saw moving all day was coming from the Trinity River via the Luce Bayou InterBasin transfer project.
Gages upstream from Lake Livingston, which captures water coming down the Trinity River from Dallas/Fort Worth, recorded approximately 11 inches of rain in June, July and August (to date).
Lake Conroe got enough rain to offset some evaporation but not enough to supply Montgomery and Harris Counties.
It’s nice to have backups for Lake Houston in a drought, especially widely scattered backups that can capture rain moving through different parts of the region.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/12/23
2174 Days since Hurricane Harvey