Contractors have fenced off the old Kingwood Middle School and started demolishing the driveways and parking lots, including the area where the school’s new permanent detention pond will go. Meanwhile, the new Kingwood Middle School building is nearing completion behind the old one. Largely invisible from the ground behind construction fencing, the aerial photos below show the progress of construction.
Pictures Taken on 6/12/22
Main entrance to old Kingwood Middle School now fenced off and being torn up. Plans show permanent detention pond going here.
One significant difference between the old facility and the new one: a detention pond that should help reduce the risk of local flooding in an era of higher, post-Harvey Atlas-14 rainfall probabilities.
Side parking lot and temporary detention pond in foreground. Old and new buildings in background. Looking NW.New vs. old: Three stories compared to one.Looking SW at entire complex.Athletic fields will replace the old building in background.New building now completely dried in. Contractors focusing on finishing the interior work.Old building in foreground will soon be demolished leaving a vast expanse of green in front of this gorgeous community showcase.
Out with Old, In With New
All along, the plan has been to tear down the old school when the new one is ready for students. Athletic facilities, formerly behind the old building will move in front of the new building.
It’s a delicate ballet. Dozens of cars were parked along Cedar Knolls today as workers scramble to get the facility ready for the next school year.
Humble ISD’s web page for this project contains artists renderings that will help you visualize the result. Humble ISD did not return phone calls today to discuss more details about the construction, old-building demolition and a completion date. But I will keep you posted as I get more information.
To see the progress of construction, visit these pages on ReduceFlooding.com.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220612-DJI_0753.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-06-13 20:08:012022-06-13 20:33:30Demolition of Old Kingwood Middle School Beginning
(Updated at 1:30p.m. 6/13/14 to reflect increased risk) According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, a tropical system may form over the western Caribbean Sea this week. The National Hurricane Center has increased the probability of formation from 20% to 30% to 40% so far today.
NHC gives the yellow area a 30% chance of formation as of 8am EDT on 6/13/22.Upgraded to 40% chance of formation as of 1PM Houston time, 6/13/22.
Converging Systems
Currently, a trough of low pressure extends from the eastern Pacific Ocean (south of Mexico) across central America into the far western Caribbean Sea. It is producing numerous clusters of showers and thunderstorms. Additionally, a westward moving tropical wave is starting to interact with the eastern part of that trough. See below.
Satellite image of Atlantic Basin as of 9:50 Houston time on 6/13/22. Note the area starting to curve around Central America and the westward moving storm off the cost of South America.
Thunderstorm clusters over the eastern Pacific are in the formative stages of tropical development. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms over the western Caribbean remain disorganized and in an environment generally of strong upper level westerly wind shear.
Global forecast models show varying degrees of development over the western Caribbean Sea east of Honduras by mid week.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
Most models indicate development very near the eastern coast of central America. And it is possible that no development happens due to the close proximity to land and/or wind shear.
Should this surface low actually develop, the sprawling ridge of high pressure over the southern plains responsible for our current heat wave will affect forecasts.
Without any sort of defined center for the Caribbean system, confidence is low on where anything may form and eventually move. However, the majority of the global models keeps this disturbed area close to central America and then potentially in the Bay of Campeche.
National Hurricane Center Forecast
The National Hurricane Center agrees. It currently gives the feature a 40% chance of formation over the next 5 days. That’s up from 20% yesterday and 30% this morning.
At a minimum, the NHC predicts that an area of low pressure will develop by the middle part of this week over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. Forecasters add: “Some slow development of this system is possible thereafter while it drifts generally northwestward off the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras.”
Check National Hurricane Center Daily During Season
This should serve as a reminder that we are in hurricane season. And it is a good idea to check the tropical weather outlook at least once per day.
The best place to do that is the National Hurricane Center website. While the statistical peak of hurricane season is still three months away (September 11), life threatening tropical systems do strike in early in the season. Here’s an interesting article about devastating June storms.
Many people in the Houston area will remember Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. It killed 22 people and dumped almost as much rain as Harvey. It caused all the flood maps to be revised at the time.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/13/2022
1749 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/two_atl_5d0-1.png?fit=900%2C665&ssl=1665900adminadmin2022-06-13 10:35:272022-06-13 13:32:08Western Caribbean Could Get Active This Week
The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) will hold a community engagement meeting to share Phase 2 results for the Feasibility Study of Stormwater Conveyance Tunnels. The meeting’s purpose: to inform residents about the status of the Tunnels study and share study information.
At the highest level, the study looks at the potential to reduce flooding risks in Harris County via large-diameter, deep underground tunnels that convey stormwater.
The study includes three phases:
Phase 1 examined the feasibility of tunnels in this area.
Phase 2 looked at potential routes and alignment concepts for areas with unmet needs.
Phase 3, if needed, will include a preliminary design to validate assumptions.
Stock photo from Phase 1 report shows tunneling machinery (cutterhead and shield) being lowered into a launch shaft.
Tunnel Tradeoffs
The primary benefit of tunnels: they add stormwater conveyance without disturbing development on the surface. In highly developed or environmentally sensitive areas, this is important. But tunnels also come with technical and financial challenges. For instance, you must route them around oil wells, water wells, and geologic faults. And the cost can be considerable: up to $150 million per mile for a 40-foot-wide tunnel.
More about Phase 2
In Spring 2022, HCFCD completed Phase 2 of its feasibility investigation. The purpose of Phase 2 was to identify unmet flood mitigation needs in Harris County’s watersheds. Phase 2 also developed distinct tunnel concepts to meet those needs.
This phase of the study focused on identifying:
Watersheds that met the criteria for a tunnel
Flood damage centers that presented the highest risk and determining whether the tunnels would be more cost-effective over traditional flood control measures (e.g. stormwater detention, channelization, or buyouts)
Potential strategic locations for intakes and outfalls
Opportunities to integrate tunnels with existing and proposed flood damage reduction systems
Geologic and man-made hazards.
Phase 2 found that a tunnel SYSTEM, rather than one or more individual tunnel alignments, should be the focus of further study. Thus, we would need additional study before a final decision on whether to move forward with tunnels.
Phase 2 received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.
Meeting Details: How to Register
Community engagement is an important component of this study. So, HCFCD invites your participation.
The Virtual Community Engagement Meeting will be held on: Thursday, June 16, 2022 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Join online at: PublicInput.com/Tunnels Or by phone* at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 9622
*If you attend by phone only, maps and other exhibits will not be visible. However, information will be available after the meeting on the project webpage at hcfcd.org/tunnels.
The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates. A moderated Q&A session will follow. You can submit questions, comments and input before, during and after the meeting. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response after the conclusion of the public comment period.
Even if you can’t attend the live meeting, still register to receive project updates. Video of the meeting will be available on the Flood Control District’s website and YouTube channel after the event.
Accommodations can be made for those with disabilities. If needed, please contact 346-286-4040 at least three business days prior to the meeting. For questions, please contact the Flood Control District at 346-286-4000, or fill out the comment form online at hcfcd.org/tunnels.
Phase 1 took a high-level look into the feasibility of constructing large-diameter deep tunnels to help move stormwater out of Harris County. It considered soil types, geotechnical challenges, hydraulic capacity, impacts, scheduling, and cost projections. Phase 1 was not watershed specific. Nor did it focus on any particular alignment/location.
Phase 1 findings include:
Geotechnical conditions do not appear to present any remarkable, nor non-negotiable concerns.
Geologic faults may require special design and construction considerations if crossed by the tunnel; not considered fatal flaws.
Tunnels can move a significant rate of stormwater operating by gravity as an inverted siphon.
Tunnel cost, including a 50 percent contingency, for a representative 10-mile long, 25- and 40-foot diameter tunnel is approximately $1 billion and $1.5 billion respectively.
For the complete 1700-page, 300-megabyte final report, click here.
Phase 3 will include preliminary design. The purpose:
Prove project benefits and costs
Select locations
Investigate geologic faults
Validate assumptions made during Phase 1 and 2
Identify internal and external sources of funding.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220612-Screen-Shot-2022-06-12-at-2.18.38-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2022-06-12 14:52:002022-06-12 14:58:41Virtual Meeting on Flood Tunnels Thursday Night
Demolition of Old Kingwood Middle School Beginning
Contractors have fenced off the old Kingwood Middle School and started demolishing the driveways and parking lots, including the area where the school’s new permanent detention pond will go. Meanwhile, the new Kingwood Middle School building is nearing completion behind the old one. Largely invisible from the ground behind construction fencing, the aerial photos below show the progress of construction.
Pictures Taken on 6/12/22
One significant difference between the old facility and the new one: a detention pond that should help reduce the risk of local flooding in an era of higher, post-Harvey Atlas-14 rainfall probabilities.
Out with Old, In With New
All along, the plan has been to tear down the old school when the new one is ready for students. Athletic facilities, formerly behind the old building will move in front of the new building.
It’s a delicate ballet. Dozens of cars were parked along Cedar Knolls today as workers scramble to get the facility ready for the next school year.
Humble ISD’s web page for this project contains artists renderings that will help you visualize the result. Humble ISD did not return phone calls today to discuss more details about the construction, old-building demolition and a completion date. But I will keep you posted as I get more information.
To see the progress of construction, visit these pages on ReduceFlooding.com.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/13/22
1750 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Western Caribbean Could Get Active This Week
(Updated at 1:30p.m. 6/13/14 to reflect increased risk) According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, a tropical system may form over the western Caribbean Sea this week. The National Hurricane Center has increased the probability of formation from 20% to 30% to 40% so far today.
Converging Systems
Currently, a trough of low pressure extends from the eastern Pacific Ocean (south of Mexico) across central America into the far western Caribbean Sea. It is producing numerous clusters of showers and thunderstorms. Additionally, a westward moving tropical wave is starting to interact with the eastern part of that trough. See below.
Thunderstorm clusters over the eastern Pacific are in the formative stages of tropical development. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms over the western Caribbean remain disorganized and in an environment generally of strong upper level westerly wind shear.
Most models indicate development very near the eastern coast of central America. And it is possible that no development happens due to the close proximity to land and/or wind shear.
Should this surface low actually develop, the sprawling ridge of high pressure over the southern plains responsible for our current heat wave will affect forecasts.
Without any sort of defined center for the Caribbean system, confidence is low on where anything may form and eventually move. However, the majority of the global models keeps this disturbed area close to central America and then potentially in the Bay of Campeche.
National Hurricane Center Forecast
The National Hurricane Center agrees. It currently gives the feature a 40% chance of formation over the next 5 days. That’s up from 20% yesterday and 30% this morning.
At a minimum, the NHC predicts that an area of low pressure will develop by the middle part of this week over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. Forecasters add: “Some slow development of this system is possible thereafter while it drifts generally northwestward off the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras.”
Check National Hurricane Center Daily During Season
This should serve as a reminder that we are in hurricane season. And it is a good idea to check the tropical weather outlook at least once per day.
The best place to do that is the National Hurricane Center website. While the statistical peak of hurricane season is still three months away (September 11), life threatening tropical systems do strike in early in the season. Here’s an interesting article about devastating June storms.
Many people in the Houston area will remember Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. It killed 22 people and dumped almost as much rain as Harvey. It caused all the flood maps to be revised at the time.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/13/2022
1749 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Virtual Meeting on Flood Tunnels Thursday Night
The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) will hold a community engagement meeting to share Phase 2 results for the Feasibility Study of Stormwater Conveyance Tunnels. The meeting’s purpose: to inform residents about the status of the Tunnels study and share study information.
At the highest level, the study looks at the potential to reduce flooding risks in Harris County via large-diameter, deep underground tunnels that convey stormwater.
The study includes three phases:
Tunnel Tradeoffs
The primary benefit of tunnels: they add stormwater conveyance without disturbing development on the surface. In highly developed or environmentally sensitive areas, this is important. But tunnels also come with technical and financial challenges. For instance, you must route them around oil wells, water wells, and geologic faults. And the cost can be considerable: up to $150 million per mile for a 40-foot-wide tunnel.
More about Phase 2
In Spring 2022, HCFCD completed Phase 2 of its feasibility investigation. The purpose of Phase 2 was to identify unmet flood mitigation needs in Harris County’s watersheds. Phase 2 also developed distinct tunnel concepts to meet those needs.
This phase of the study focused on identifying:
Phase 2 found that a tunnel SYSTEM, rather than one or more individual tunnel alignments, should be the focus of further study. Thus, we would need additional study before a final decision on whether to move forward with tunnels.
Phase 2 received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.
Meeting Details: How to Register
Community engagement is an important component of this study. So, HCFCD invites your participation.
The Virtual Community Engagement Meeting will be held on:
Thursday, June 16, 2022
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join online at: PublicInput.com/Tunnels
Or by phone* at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 9622
*If you attend by phone only, maps and other exhibits will not be visible. However, information will be available after the meeting on the project webpage at hcfcd.org/tunnels.
The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates. A moderated Q&A session will follow. You can submit questions, comments and input before, during and after the meeting. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response after the conclusion of the public comment period.
Even if you can’t attend the live meeting, still register to receive project updates. Video of the meeting will be available on the Flood Control District’s website and YouTube channel after the event.
Accommodations can be made for those with disabilities. If needed, please contact 346-286-4040 at least three business days prior to the meeting. For questions, please contact the Flood Control District at 346-286-4000, or fill out the comment form online at hcfcd.org/tunnels.
Overview of Other Phases
For a brief history of the tunnel investigation, visit this page on the HCFCD website.
Phase 1 took a high-level look into the feasibility of constructing large-diameter deep tunnels to help move stormwater out of Harris County. It considered soil types, geotechnical challenges, hydraulic capacity, impacts, scheduling, and cost projections. Phase 1 was not watershed specific. Nor did it focus on any particular alignment/location.
Phase 1 findings include:
For the complete 1700-page, 300-megabyte final report, click here.
Phase 3 will include preliminary design. The purpose:
This post will give you more background about flood tunnels.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/12/2022
1748 Days since Hurricane Harvey