Between 1:00 and 3:00 PM on 1/24/23, approximately 3.6 inches of rain fell over Royal Pines in southeast Montgomery County. According to Atlas-14 rainfall tables, that qualifies as a 5-year rainfall event. But floodwaters from White Oak creek approached the edge of the 100-year floodplain. And missing silt fences let sediment escape into the wetlands that border the property.
5-Year Rain
A friend who lives a mile from Royal Pines recorded about 4″ on his rain gage for the full day. A check of nearby rain gages on the Harris County Flood Warning System, showed that the official gage at FM1485 and the San Jacinto East Fork recorded approximately 3.6 inches between 1 and 3 PM today.
Harris County Flood Warning System hyetograph shows approximately 3.6 inches fell in two hours on 1/24/23.
Cross-referencing that rate with NOAA’s Atlas-14 rainfall probability estimates for this area, we can see that 3.6 inches in 2 hours equals a 5-year rain.
NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall probabilities for Lake Houston Area.
100-Year Flood Line
Now let’s look at how close that 5-year rain came to the 100-year flood line. In the construction diagram below, the developer shows the edge of the 100-year flood plain. It’s the dotted line between Zone AE and Zone X. I’ve circled the relevant portion in red.
If you were to project that line toward the lower right, it would roughly parallel the heavy black line that forms the eastern boundary of Country Colony, which you can see in the middle right of the photo below.
Floodwaters from Creek Overflow Royal Pines
The water comes almost to the edge of the floodplain shown in the construction diagram above.
Looking SE across Royal Pines. County Colony in upper right.
That big area filled with water, is a part of White Oak Creek cutting across Royal Pines. Think it’s just standing water? Think again.
The closer shot below shows water streaming through the soon-to-be subdivision and filling the Country Colony drainage ditch to overflowing.
Notice the water streaming through the cleared area and carrying away sediment downstream.
Notice also how the floodwaters approach what appears to be some sort of water treatment facility in the upper right.
These shots also document the absence of silt fence on the eastern side of Royal Pines.
All that silt will migrate down White Oak Creek and Caney Creek into the East Fork San Jacinto which the City of Houston just dredged at great public expense. The public also must foot the bill for increased water-purification costs.
More Missing Silt Fence in NW Corner of Royal Pines
The SE corner of Royal Pines wasn’t the only part of the development missing silt fence. The developer removed it from the NW corner – where a neighbor has now flooded three times in two months.
Looking N toward White Oak Creek. Contractors removed the silt fence last week. Rain then swept sediment into the woods.
Those woods contain sensitive wetlands.
Notice how water coming from the north (left) is clear. But water coming from Royal Pines (right) is filled with sediment.The muck filled the wetlands for more than a mile downstream.
How Can a 5-Year Rain Reach Almost as Far as a 100-Year Floodplain?
We need an answer to that question before this development starts pouring concrete. There are several possible explanations.
Clearcutting accelerated runoff.
Bulldozers compacted soil, limiting the rate of infiltration.
The developer hasn’t built any stormwater-detention-basin capacity to offset the increased runoff.
Planners used old (lower) Montgomery County rainfall data to determine the extent of the floodplain in their plats and plans.
Engineers didn’t count on the cumulative impact of insufficiently mitigated upstream development, some of which used beat-the-peak, hydrologic-timing surveys to avoid building detention basins.
More rain fell upstream than at the gage shown above.
Some or all of the above.
I took these photos within an hour of the end of the rain. So there wasn’t much time for water to work its way downstream very far.
Two floodplain experts I consulted pointed to the cumulative impact of upstream development as a possible culprit. Engineers are likely working with flood data acquired in the 1980s before Montgomery County became one of the fastest growing counties in the region. The data is simply too complex to adjust after each new development. So, it never gets revised and errors compound over time.
I’m sure the Montgomery County Engineers Office and TCEQ will want to get to the bottom of this before the developer starts building homes. If homebuyers flood on rains that are far less than 100-year rains, tremendous liabilities could result.
If Royal Pines or Montgomery County would like to rebut the issues I’ve raised, I will be happy to publish their point of view. The public deserves to know what’s going on.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/25/23
1975 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/2023/01/20230124-DJI_0738.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2023-01-25 11:21:142023-01-25 15:48:255-Year Rain Brings White Oak Creek Close to 100-Year Mark in Royal Pines
The National Weather Service and Harris County warn of a severe weather threat for Tuesday.
Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner warns that severe thunderstorms, some of which could turn into tornados are likely with heavy rainfall, and gusty winds across SE Texas Tuesday.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center also warns of the potential for supercell development and hail.
Up to 3 inches of rain are likely with isolated higher amounts (up to 6″ according to Lindner) where thunderstorm training exists.
Rainfall for Tuesday from the NWS Weather Prediction Center.Posted at 2:38PM Central Time, Monday 1/23/23.Hail probabilities for Tuesday range from 5-15% across region.
Overview
A deepening upper level trough over the SW US will move eastward and into SW/W TX tonight/Tuesday and then exit the state early Wednesday morning to the east. This system will bring dynamic weather to much of Texas starting late Monday tonight.
The dry air now over SE TX will undergo significant changes in the next 24 hours. A low level jet will quickly transport extreme moisture northward from the SW/W Gulf of Mexico. Moisture levels in the atmosphere will quintuple overnight, driven by the 50-60 mph winds just above the surface. NWS indicates strong winds are the primary threat.
A wind advisory will likely be required for much of the area with isolated to scattered power outages possible.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
Lift should rapidly increase Tuesday morning with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing from SW to NE across the region.
Look for scattered showers to begin developing around sunrise, then increase in coverage through the day. The highest potential for thunderstorms in the Houston metro area should be mid-afternoon. But they should move out of the state by early evening.
Heavy Rainfall Expected
Models hint at some sort of low-level convergence boundary becoming established along the US 59 corridor around mid-morning Tuesday. That should trigger heavy rainfall well ahead of the approaching front and boost rainfall in the Fort Bend, Harris, and Liberty County areas. Lindner worries that this could lead to a period of training storms and quick rainfall accumulations.
He predicts widespread rainfall of 1-3 inches with isolated totals of 4-6 inches possible.
Street flooding will be a concern in areas that catch heavier rainfall. Hourly rates may approach 1-3 inches.
Given the time of year, wet grounds, and dead vegetation from recent freezes, maximum run-off is likely. Lindner expects rises on area streams, but also says that the current forecasted rainfall amounts should not lead to creek, bayou, or river flooding.
Severe
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center suggests that an impressive 80-100kt mid-level jet carving across SE TX Tuesday afternoon could bring enough instability south of I-10 for severe thunderstorms to develop. SPC has upgraded the risk in that area into a (2 out of 5) slight risk.
Wind gusts of 60-70mph will be possible. Near the coast, a tornado or two will be possible. The highest threat of severe weather is currently offshore, but the severe threat could be upgraded south of I-10.
Winds
Starting late tonight, the strong low level jet overhead will bring sustained winds of 25-35mph and gusts of 40-45mph at the surface much of Tuesday. Gusts may be higher near the coast and inland bays. A wind advisory will likely be required for much of the area and these winds may down trees and tree limbs, result in isolated to scattered power outages, and move unsecured outdoor objects.
Marine
Dangerous marine conditions will quickly develop late tonight into Tuesday as southerly winds rapidly increase into the 35-45kt range for all waters.
A gale watch is in effect for all waters and will be upgraded to a warning this afternoon. Seas will quickly build 6-8 ft in bays and 10-12ft offshore on Tuesday.
The strong winds may result in elevated tides in the northern portion of Galveston Bay Tuesday along with wave run-up on the Gulf facing beaches.
The line of strong to severe thunderstorms arriving Tuesday afternoon/evening will bring W/NW winds at 30-40 kts. Wind gusts of 50-55kts will be possible. Small craft should be in port by this evening and remain in port until winds and seas subside on Wednesday.
One Year Anniversary of Kingwood Tornado
Although January tornados are rare, we should not forget what happened last January when several twisters slashed through Kingwood downing trees and power lines. Exercise caution.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/23/2023 at 2PM based on information from the NWS and Jeff Lindner
1973 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/d12_fill.gif?fit=800%2C561&ssl=1561800adminadmin2023-01-23 15:08:342023-01-23 15:27:21Severe Weather Threat Tuesday with High Winds, Rain Up to 3″ and Possible Tornados
The San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG) submitted its final recommendations to the Texas Water Development Board on January 10. The 316-page report includes recommendations on floodplain management evaluation, strategies and projects; the plan’s impacts; administration, regulatory and legislative recommendations; and financing.
I discussed the floodplain projects and impacts when I reviewed the draft plan in August of 2022. Not much as changed with the projects and impacts except for some minor details.
In 2019, the legislature appropriated money to establish the FIF. However, it did not appropriate additional funds in 2021. We need more money to fully implement the plans in the coming years.
Provide state incentives to establish dedicated drainage funding:
State law provides municipalities with the authority to establish local drainage utilities. Those that don’t use that authority generally rely on federal partners to fund floodplain management and regulatory programs. Or else they use some combination of general tax revenues and municipal bonds. The state should incentivize local communities to fund drainage projects rather than rely solely on federal funding.
Provide counties with legislative authority to establish drainage utilities/fees:
Municipalities have that power. But the unincorporated areas of counties do not. Give counties a reliable source of revenue to implement, maintain and repair drainage projects. Let them establish drainage utilities and drainage fees in unincorporated areas.
Update the state building code on a regular basis:
Texas is missing out on a billion dollars in FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants because of antiquated building costs. To take advantage of those grants, we need to update building codes. Adopt recent versions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) at a minimum. Also we should adopt updated codes regularly in future legislative sessions.
Regulatory and Administrative Recommendations
The plan also made the following recommendations for regulatory and administrative changes.
Upgrade TxDOT design criteria:
Require all new and reconstructed state roadways to be elevated at or above the Atlas-14 1.0% annual chance flood level. Use the 0.2% level if Atlas 14 has not yet been adopted. TxDOT should also consider future conditions, such as urbanization and climate variability, in its roadway design criteria. TxDOT does not in all cases design roadways consistent with minimum NFIP requirements. TxDOT should strive to meet NFIP standards, especially for critical infrastructure such as evacuation and emergency routes.
Recommend Minimum Statewide Building Elevation Standards:
Recommend statewide minimum finished floor elevations at (or waterproofed to) the FEMA effective 2% annual chance flood except in areas designated as coastal flood zones. Use the 1.0% annual chance flood elevation where Atlas 14 has been adopted. Incentivize higher building standards. Recent historic floods and NOAA’s updated Atlas-14 rainfall probabilities reveal how much base flood elevations (BFE) can change over time. Jurisdictions that have required a freeboard over the current BFE have mitigated the risk of these increasing BFEs.
Clarify the process and cost to turn Base Level Engineering (BLE) data into Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels:
BLE efficiently models and maps flood hazard data at community, county, watershed, and/or state levels. Currently, the state and FEMA are heavily investing in BLE. Clearly communicate to local jurisdictions how to implement this data in regulations and flood insurance rate maps. The steps remain unclear to many local jurisdictions.
Establish and fund a levee safety program similar to the TCEQ dam-safety program:
The TCEQ has a program to inspect dams that fall under its jurisdiction. Levees, on the other hand, are not subject to a similar safety program despite posing similar risks during flooding events.
Promote flood awareness, education, safety and outreach:
Partner with the Texas Floodplain Managers Association (TFMA) to promote public flood awareness, education, and safety in communities. Also, partner with Texas Association of Counties to do the same for Floodplain Administrators lacking technical flooding background (e.g., some County Judges). A well-informed public can make better informed personal choices regarding issues that involve flood risk and also will be more likely to support public policies and mitigation measures to reduce that risk.
Support ongoing education/training for floodplain management:
Provide no- or low-cost online resources including training modules, webinars, and print. Target training for non-technical Floodplain Administrators (e.g., County Judges who may serve as Floodplain Administrators but not have the necessary technical background). This would help to make effective floodplain management more prevalent across the state, especially in smaller counties.
Develop state incentives to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System (CRS) program:
NFIP works with communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding. CRS encourages practices that exceed minimum requirements of the NFIP. Both programs are essential to achieving State Flood-Plan goals. Implement State-led incentives to encourage communities to participate.
Develop a public database that tracks flood fatalities:
Fatalities have occurred during extreme flood events throughout the state’s history. A statewide database and tracking system with appropriate privacy restrictions could aid in future project planning and regulatory decision making. It could also help with future education efforts regarding actions that frequently lead to fatalities. An example is the importance of not attempting to drive through flood waters.
Help smaller jurisdictions prepare grant and loan applications or make the process easier:
Provide training for Councils of Governments (COGs) to assist with the funding process. Developing applications for project funding can be difficult, especially for smaller jurisdictions with limited experience and access to funding to obtain expert assistance. Simplifying applications and making funding available specifically for application development would serve to make the process more accessible across the state and help close knowledge gaps.
Develop interactive models that use Base Level Engineering (BLE) data:
Provide them to Regional Flood Planning Groups and their technical consulting teams. Standardize future conditions and land use data. The State’s and FEMA’s BLE data should be available in most parts of the state.
Allow partnerships to provide regional flood-mitigation solutions:
Flood risk does not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, yet many flood-mitigation programs prevent multiple jurisdictions from working together if they want to remain eligible state funding. Flood-mitigation studies and solutions require inter-jurisdictional collaboration. Update policies to encourage and permit it.
Next Step on Final Recommendations
These final recommendations sound like good ideas to me. Please communicate your feelings to your state senator and representative.
I have summarized the final recommendations above. To see their exact text, review chapter 8. Or see the entire report to put them all in context.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/22/2023
1972 Days After Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20230121-Screenshot-2023-01-21-at-9.54.40-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C788&ssl=17881200adminadmin2023-01-21 21:57:432023-01-21 23:33:14San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group Submits Final Recommendations
5-Year Rain Brings White Oak Creek Close to 100-Year Mark in Royal Pines
Between 1:00 and 3:00 PM on 1/24/23, approximately 3.6 inches of rain fell over Royal Pines in southeast Montgomery County. According to Atlas-14 rainfall tables, that qualifies as a 5-year rainfall event. But floodwaters from White Oak creek approached the edge of the 100-year floodplain. And missing silt fences let sediment escape into the wetlands that border the property.
5-Year Rain
A friend who lives a mile from Royal Pines recorded about 4″ on his rain gage for the full day. A check of nearby rain gages on the Harris County Flood Warning System, showed that the official gage at FM1485 and the San Jacinto East Fork recorded approximately 3.6 inches between 1 and 3 PM today.
Cross-referencing that rate with NOAA’s Atlas-14 rainfall probability estimates for this area, we can see that 3.6 inches in 2 hours equals a 5-year rain.
100-Year Flood Line
Now let’s look at how close that 5-year rain came to the 100-year flood line. In the construction diagram below, the developer shows the edge of the 100-year flood plain. It’s the dotted line between Zone AE and Zone X. I’ve circled the relevant portion in red.
If you were to project that line toward the lower right, it would roughly parallel the heavy black line that forms the eastern boundary of Country Colony, which you can see in the middle right of the photo below.
Floodwaters from Creek Overflow Royal Pines
The water comes almost to the edge of the floodplain shown in the construction diagram above.
That big area filled with water, is a part of White Oak Creek cutting across Royal Pines. Think it’s just standing water? Think again.
The closer shot below shows water streaming through the soon-to-be subdivision and filling the Country Colony drainage ditch to overflowing.
Notice also how the floodwaters approach what appears to be some sort of water treatment facility in the upper right.
These shots also document the absence of silt fence on the eastern side of Royal Pines.
All that silt will migrate down White Oak Creek and Caney Creek into the East Fork San Jacinto which the City of Houston just dredged at great public expense. The public also must foot the bill for increased water-purification costs.
More Missing Silt Fence in NW Corner of Royal Pines
The SE corner of Royal Pines wasn’t the only part of the development missing silt fence. The developer removed it from the NW corner – where a neighbor has now flooded three times in two months.
Those woods contain sensitive wetlands.
How Can a 5-Year Rain Reach Almost as Far as a 100-Year Floodplain?
We need an answer to that question before this development starts pouring concrete. There are several possible explanations.
I took these photos within an hour of the end of the rain. So there wasn’t much time for water to work its way downstream very far.
Two floodplain experts I consulted pointed to the cumulative impact of upstream development as a possible culprit. Engineers are likely working with flood data acquired in the 1980s before Montgomery County became one of the fastest growing counties in the region. The data is simply too complex to adjust after each new development. So, it never gets revised and errors compound over time.
I’m sure the Montgomery County Engineers Office and TCEQ will want to get to the bottom of this before the developer starts building homes. If homebuyers flood on rains that are far less than 100-year rains, tremendous liabilities could result.
When Perry Homes attempted to build Woodridge Village – only one-half mile from Royal Pines – its engineers pretended no floodplains existed. That cost Perry Homes millions of dollars and its reputation.
If Royal Pines or Montgomery County would like to rebut the issues I’ve raised, I will be happy to publish their point of view. The public deserves to know what’s going on.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/25/23
1975 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.
Severe Weather Threat Tuesday with High Winds, Rain Up to 3″ and Possible Tornados
The National Weather Service and Harris County warn of a severe weather threat for Tuesday.
Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner warns that severe thunderstorms, some of which could turn into tornados are likely with heavy rainfall, and gusty winds across SE Texas Tuesday.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center also warns of the potential for supercell development and hail.
Up to 3 inches of rain are likely with isolated higher amounts (up to 6″ according to Lindner) where thunderstorm training exists.
Overview
A deepening upper level trough over the SW US will move eastward and into SW/W TX tonight/Tuesday and then exit the state early Wednesday morning to the east. This system will bring dynamic weather to much of Texas starting late Monday tonight.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center warns that “supercells will be likely along the developing line of storms.”
The dry air now over SE TX will undergo significant changes in the next 24 hours. A low level jet will quickly transport extreme moisture northward from the SW/W Gulf of Mexico. Moisture levels in the atmosphere will quintuple overnight, driven by the 50-60 mph winds just above the surface. NWS indicates strong winds are the primary threat.
Lift should rapidly increase Tuesday morning with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing from SW to NE across the region.
Look for scattered showers to begin developing around sunrise, then increase in coverage through the day. The highest potential for thunderstorms in the Houston metro area should be mid-afternoon. But they should move out of the state by early evening.
Heavy Rainfall Expected
Models hint at some sort of low-level convergence boundary becoming established along the US 59 corridor around mid-morning Tuesday. That should trigger heavy rainfall well ahead of the approaching front and boost rainfall in the Fort Bend, Harris, and Liberty County areas. Lindner worries that this could lead to a period of training storms and quick rainfall accumulations.
He predicts widespread rainfall of 1-3 inches with isolated totals of 4-6 inches possible.
Street flooding will be a concern in areas that catch heavier rainfall. Hourly rates may approach 1-3 inches.
Given the time of year, wet grounds, and dead vegetation from recent freezes, maximum run-off is likely. Lindner expects rises on area streams, but also says that the current forecasted rainfall amounts should not lead to creek, bayou, or river flooding.
Severe
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center suggests that an impressive 80-100kt mid-level jet carving across SE TX Tuesday afternoon could bring enough instability south of I-10 for severe thunderstorms to develop. SPC has upgraded the risk in that area into a (2 out of 5) slight risk.
Wind gusts of 60-70mph will be possible. Near the coast, a tornado or two will be possible. The highest threat of severe weather is currently offshore, but the severe threat could be upgraded south of I-10.
Winds
Starting late tonight, the strong low level jet overhead will bring sustained winds of 25-35mph and gusts of 40-45mph at the surface much of Tuesday. Gusts may be higher near the coast and inland bays. A wind advisory will likely be required for much of the area and these winds may down trees and tree limbs, result in isolated to scattered power outages, and move unsecured outdoor objects.
Marine
Dangerous marine conditions will quickly develop late tonight into Tuesday as southerly winds rapidly increase into the 35-45kt range for all waters.
A gale watch is in effect for all waters and will be upgraded to a warning this afternoon. Seas will quickly build 6-8 ft in bays and 10-12ft offshore on Tuesday.
The strong winds may result in elevated tides in the northern portion of Galveston Bay Tuesday along with wave run-up on the Gulf facing beaches.
The line of strong to severe thunderstorms arriving Tuesday afternoon/evening will bring W/NW winds at 30-40 kts. Wind gusts of 50-55kts will be possible. Small craft should be in port by this evening and remain in port until winds and seas subside on Wednesday.
One Year Anniversary of Kingwood Tornado
Although January tornados are rare, we should not forget what happened last January when several twisters slashed through Kingwood downing trees and power lines. Exercise caution.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/23/2023 at 2PM based on information from the NWS and Jeff Lindner
1973 Days since Hurricane Harvey
San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group Submits Final Recommendations
The San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG) submitted its final recommendations to the Texas Water Development Board on January 10. The 316-page report includes recommendations on floodplain management evaluation, strategies and projects; the plan’s impacts; administration, regulatory and legislative recommendations; and financing.
I discussed the floodplain projects and impacts when I reviewed the draft plan in August of 2022. Not much as changed with the projects and impacts except for some minor details.
Now, with the state legislature in session, I would like to review the administrative, regulatory and legislative final recommendations in Chapter 8.
Legislative Recommendations
The SJRPG made four legislative recommendations to facilitate floodplain management plus flood mitigation planning and implementation.
Provide recurring biennial appropriations to the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF):
In 2019, the legislature appropriated money to establish the FIF. However, it did not appropriate additional funds in 2021. We need more money to fully implement the plans in the coming years.
Provide state incentives to establish dedicated drainage funding:
State law provides municipalities with the authority to establish local drainage utilities. Those that don’t use that authority generally rely on federal partners to fund floodplain management and regulatory programs. Or else they use some combination of general tax revenues and municipal bonds. The state should incentivize local communities to fund drainage projects rather than rely solely on federal funding.
Provide counties with legislative authority to establish drainage utilities/fees:
Municipalities have that power. But the unincorporated areas of counties do not. Give counties a reliable source of revenue to implement, maintain and repair drainage projects. Let them establish drainage utilities and drainage fees in unincorporated areas.
Update the state building code on a regular basis:
Texas is missing out on a billion dollars in FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants because of antiquated building costs. To take advantage of those grants, we need to update building codes. Adopt recent versions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) at a minimum. Also we should adopt updated codes regularly in future legislative sessions.
Regulatory and Administrative Recommendations
The plan also made the following recommendations for regulatory and administrative changes.
Upgrade TxDOT design criteria:
Require all new and reconstructed state roadways to be elevated at or above the Atlas-14 1.0% annual chance flood level. Use the 0.2% level if Atlas 14 has not yet been adopted. TxDOT should also consider future conditions, such as urbanization and climate variability, in its roadway design criteria. TxDOT does not in all cases design roadways consistent with minimum NFIP requirements. TxDOT should strive to meet NFIP standards, especially for critical infrastructure such as evacuation and emergency routes.
Recommend Minimum Statewide Building Elevation Standards:
Recommend statewide minimum finished floor elevations at (or waterproofed to) the FEMA effective 2% annual chance flood except in areas designated as coastal flood zones. Use the 1.0% annual chance flood elevation where Atlas 14 has been adopted. Incentivize higher building standards. Recent historic floods and NOAA’s updated Atlas-14 rainfall probabilities reveal how much base flood elevations (BFE) can change over time. Jurisdictions that have required a freeboard over the current BFE have mitigated the risk of these increasing BFEs.
Clarify the process and cost to turn Base Level Engineering (BLE) data into Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels:
BLE efficiently models and maps flood hazard data at community, county, watershed, and/or state levels. Currently, the state and FEMA are heavily investing in BLE. Clearly communicate to local jurisdictions how to implement this data in regulations and flood insurance rate maps. The steps remain unclear to many local jurisdictions.
Establish and fund a levee safety program similar to the TCEQ dam-safety program:
The TCEQ has a program to inspect dams that fall under its jurisdiction. Levees, on the other hand, are not subject to a similar safety program despite posing similar risks during flooding events.
Promote flood awareness, education, safety and outreach:
Partner with the Texas Floodplain Managers Association (TFMA) to promote public flood awareness, education, and safety in communities. Also, partner with Texas Association of Counties to do the same for Floodplain Administrators lacking technical flooding background (e.g., some County Judges). A well-informed public can make better informed personal choices regarding issues that involve flood risk and also will be more likely to support public policies and mitigation measures to reduce that risk.
Support ongoing education/training for floodplain management:
Provide no- or low-cost online resources including training modules, webinars, and print. Target training for non-technical Floodplain Administrators (e.g., County Judges who may serve as Floodplain Administrators but not have the necessary technical background). This would help to make effective floodplain management more prevalent across the state, especially in smaller counties.
Develop state incentives to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System (CRS) program:
NFIP works with communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding. CRS encourages practices that exceed minimum requirements of the NFIP. Both programs are essential to achieving State Flood-Plan goals. Implement State-led incentives to encourage communities to participate.
Develop a public database that tracks flood fatalities:
Fatalities have occurred during extreme flood events throughout the state’s history. A statewide database and tracking system with appropriate privacy restrictions could aid in future project planning and regulatory decision making. It could also help with future education efforts regarding actions that frequently lead to fatalities. An example is the importance of not attempting to drive through flood waters.
Help smaller jurisdictions prepare grant and loan applications or make the process easier:
Provide training for Councils of Governments (COGs) to assist with the funding process. Developing applications for project funding can be difficult, especially for smaller jurisdictions with limited experience and access to funding to obtain expert assistance. Simplifying applications and making funding available specifically for application development would serve to make the process more accessible across the state and help close knowledge gaps.
Develop interactive models that use Base Level Engineering (BLE) data:
Provide them to Regional Flood Planning Groups and their technical consulting teams. Standardize future conditions and land use data. The State’s and FEMA’s BLE data should be available in most parts of the state.
Allow partnerships to provide regional flood-mitigation solutions:
Flood risk does not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, yet many flood-mitigation programs prevent multiple jurisdictions from working together if they want to remain eligible state funding. Flood-mitigation studies and solutions require inter-jurisdictional collaboration. Update policies to encourage and permit it.
Next Step on Final Recommendations
These final recommendations sound like good ideas to me. Please communicate your feelings to your state senator and representative.
I have summarized the final recommendations above. To see their exact text, review chapter 8. Or see the entire report to put them all in context.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/22/2023
1972 Days After Hurricane Harvey