Last week, a friend sent me some links to NOAA’s coastal flood exposure mapper and several related sites. The NOAA tools have inland applications, too. Full functionality extends to the northern part of Harris County. The NOAA site combines so many different tools in the flood exposure mapper (and related sites), that they could become the “go to” sites to determine flood risk for many in the Houston region.
Their main value: the ability to overlay many different kinds of information on one map to precisely render the geospatial relationships, and easily share what you see.
The flood-exposure mapper site:
Incorporates FEMA’s flood risk zones
Identifies many more levels and types of risk, and their extent (see below)
Lets you change base layers, so you can view risk zones over maps or satellite images
Lets you toggle layers on and off, and vary their opacity, to help explore risks in your area
Allows you to share the map on your screen by simply copying the web address (as I did in the embedded links below).
17 Different Layers Available
You can render seventeen different types of information and overlay them in different layers.
HAZARD LAYERS
Coastal Flood Hazard Composite
High Tide Flooding
FEMA Flood Zones
Tsunami
Storm Surge
Sea Level Rise
SOCIETAL EXPOSURE
Population Density
Poverty
Elderly
Employees
INFRASTRUCTURE EXPOSURE
Development
Critical Facilities
Development Patterns
ECOSYSTEM EXPOSURE
Natural Areas and Open Space
Potential Pollution Sources
Natural Protection
Wetland Potential
EXAMPLES
Flood Zones vs. Critical Infrastructure
Say you wanted to see where critical infrastructure facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and police and fire stations, are in your neighborhood relative to mapped flood zones. Turn on the FEMA layers. Turn on Critical Infrastructure. Vary the opacity to suit your taste. And voila. You can see where everything is. Location could affect first responder response time in a flood, your ability to get to a hospital, or your ability to get kids at school. Also see it below.
Flood zones versus critical infrastructure in the Lake Houston Area.
Flood Zones Vs. Population Density
Want to map population density against flood zones?
Development Density and Time Frame
Curious about when certain areas were developed, and the intensity of that development
Green Infrastructure
Want to see how much green space developers left in your community?
289 Possible Searches
Only two layers at a time can be active. But with 17 different layers, you have 289 possible searches for any given area.
Note: some, but not all layers contain information for Montgomery County, Liberty County and other counties that have no coastal exposure. You just have to experiment.
Helpful Background Information
Puzzled about what some of the terms mean and how they relate to flooding?
Click on the info button for “Employees” and you will see this explanation. “This map shows the range in the number of employees for U.S. Census block groups (or geographies) that work in or near coastal flood-prone areas. Some of the most devastating disaster impacts to a community include the loss of income due to business interruption and the loss of jobs as a result of business closures. It is also important to know where people are located should a hazard event occur during work hours.”
Wondering what “natural protection” has to do with flooding. Click the info button. The following explanation pops up. “Natural areas and open space adjacent to development can buffer and protect against flooding. Wetlands hold floodwaters, reduce wave heights, capture sediments, and reduce erosion. Beaches and dunes absorb wave energy, and other natural areas such as forests and grasslands provide porous surfaces that can absorb, store, and slow water. Protecting these natural areas will ensure that communities continue to receive these benefits; however, with sea level rise, these habitats will need to move landward, so in addition, communities will want to assess and protect surrounding land to help facilitate this process.”
These are very powerful, well-laid out tools within an easy-to-use, intuitive interface. It’s actually fun to explore.
Sea-Level-Rise Visualizer
Speaking of sea level rise, without taking a political stance on global warming, NOAA provides an interesting inundation map/viewer. It lets you vary the amount of sea-level rise by 1 to 10 feet and shows how much coastline will be lost for any given amount of rise. You’ll be pleased to know that Lake Houston is not in danger, even with 10 feet of rise.
The sea-level-rise viewer also contains a high-tide flooding map, a vulnerability map, a marsh migration map and more.
Most of these sites are geared toward professionals, such as flood plain managers, developers, planners, government employees, and real estate people. However, that should not deter residents and home buyers. Each of these related sites offers excellent tutorials.
I would also say that during COVID-school shutdowns, science teachers and parents of teenagers have an excellent learning opportunity with these tools. There’s enough here to keep bored students interested for days. It can be something you explore together as a family.
More Information About Nature Based Solutions
For flood engineers, planners, developers, regulators and serious flood geeks, NOAA also offers the following:
An Associated Press article published this afternoon and already being picked up by many news outlets cites a Texas A&M study of air quality monitors in the most heavily industrialized parts of Houston. The A&M study reportedly shows that air pollution has surged 62% in the three weeks since the EPA announced that it would relax enforcement of pollution regulations due to the corona virus.
The EPA claims its new stance represents a reasonable response to the virus crisis. Many plants, they say, have been crippled by worker absences.
I have no problem with that. I’m sure the virus has affected law enforcement agencies around the country.
I do have one problem, however: the publicannouncement that you will stop enforcing the law.
Can you imagine, for instance, what would happen if:
Houston Police Department announced it would pull all officers out of Kingwood?
The SEC announced it would no longer prosecute insider trading during the virus crisis?
The Defense Department signaled that it would not retaliate against foreign aggression?
While I do believe that the vast majority of people and companies would continue obeying the law, I also believe that some will take advantage of the lack of enforcement. The public announcement gave a green light to people in the latter category.
A 62% increase in three weeks sounds like a big jump.
Had the EPA used its enforcement discretion to quietly relax prosecution of businesses hampered by the virus, it could have shown compassion and reasonableness without harming the regulated community. However, the public announcement of the relaxed policy may have harmed residents living near pollution sources. The AP article cites many examples.
I wonder how the announcement impacted San Jacinto River sand mines and water quality. EPA enforcement in this area has never been aggressive in my opinion.
Confluence of Spring Creek and West Fork showing pollution coming off West Fork at Montgomery County Line. 20 square miles of sand mines lie upstream on the West Fork.Photo taken March 6.
When someone writes the history of this EPA enforcement controversy, the key question will be “Why the public announcement?”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200306-RJR_9506.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-04-19 15:00:552020-04-19 15:20:33AP Article Cites Texas A&M Study Showing Pollution Surged 62% Since EPA Enforcement Rollback
As of 3PM on 4/19/2020 the tornado watch was extended until 10PM: A tornado watch is in effect for all of SE Texas. Thunderstorms have begun to develop over SE TX, especially along and near I-10. Air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. The approach of an upper level system from the west and a Pacific cool front along with veering wind profiles will support the formation of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.
Radar Updated at 3:20
Hazards
Storms may become severe with the following hazards:
Isolated tornados (mainly N of I-10)
Large hail (a few hail report could exceed 2.5 inches in diameter)
Damaging winds (60mph or greater)
While the tornado watch includes the entire area, the greatest threat will be generally along and N of US 59 to the west of Houston and then along and N of I-10 east of Houston.
For Your Protection
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning.
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure.
Stay away from windows.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020 at 9:30amand updated with new radar at 3pm.
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Attachment-1.png?fit=2436%2C1179&ssl=111792436adminadmin2020-04-19 09:41:302020-04-19 15:27:40Tornado Watch for All Southeast Texas Until 3 P.M.
Amazing NOAA Coastal Flood Exposure Tools Have Inland Applications, Too
Last week, a friend sent me some links to NOAA’s coastal flood exposure mapper and several related sites. The NOAA tools have inland applications, too. Full functionality extends to the northern part of Harris County. The NOAA site combines so many different tools in the flood exposure mapper (and related sites), that they could become the “go to” sites to determine flood risk for many in the Houston region.
The flood-exposure mapper site:
17 Different Layers Available
You can render seventeen different types of information and overlay them in different layers.
HAZARD LAYERS
SOCIETAL EXPOSURE
INFRASTRUCTURE EXPOSURE
ECOSYSTEM EXPOSURE
EXAMPLES
Flood Zones vs. Critical Infrastructure
Say you wanted to see where critical infrastructure facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and police and fire stations, are in your neighborhood relative to mapped flood zones. Turn on the FEMA layers. Turn on Critical Infrastructure. Vary the opacity to suit your taste. And voila. You can see where everything is. Location could affect first responder response time in a flood, your ability to get to a hospital, or your ability to get kids at school. Also see it below.
Flood Zones Vs. Population Density
Want to map population density against flood zones?
Development Density and Time Frame
Curious about when certain areas were developed, and the intensity of that development
Green Infrastructure
Want to see how much green space developers left in your community?
289 Possible Searches
Only two layers at a time can be active. But with 17 different layers, you have 289 possible searches for any given area.
Note: some, but not all layers contain information for Montgomery County, Liberty County and other counties that have no coastal exposure. You just have to experiment.
Helpful Background Information
Puzzled about what some of the terms mean and how they relate to flooding?
Click on the info button for “Employees” and you will see this explanation. “This map shows the range in the number of employees for U.S. Census block groups (or geographies) that work in or near coastal flood-prone areas. Some of the most devastating disaster impacts to a community include the loss of income due to business interruption and the loss of jobs as a result of business closures. It is also important to know where people are located should a hazard event occur during work hours.”
Wondering what “natural protection” has to do with flooding. Click the info button. The following explanation pops up. “Natural areas and open space adjacent to development can buffer and protect against flooding. Wetlands hold floodwaters, reduce wave heights, capture sediments, and reduce erosion. Beaches and dunes absorb wave energy, and other natural areas such as forests and grasslands provide porous surfaces that can absorb, store, and slow water. Protecting these natural areas will ensure that communities continue to receive these benefits; however, with sea level rise, these habitats will need to move landward, so in addition, communities will want to assess and protect surrounding land to help facilitate this process.”
These are very powerful, well-laid out tools within an easy-to-use, intuitive interface. It’s actually fun to explore.
Sea-Level-Rise Visualizer
Speaking of sea level rise, without taking a political stance on global warming, NOAA provides an interesting inundation map/viewer. It lets you vary the amount of sea-level rise by 1 to 10 feet and shows how much coastline will be lost for any given amount of rise. You’ll be pleased to know that Lake Houston is not in danger, even with 10 feet of rise.
The sea-level-rise viewer also contains a high-tide flooding map, a vulnerability map, a marsh migration map and more.
Other Helpful Tools
Check out:
Excellent Tutorials Available
Most of these sites are geared toward professionals, such as flood plain managers, developers, planners, government employees, and real estate people. However, that should not deter residents and home buyers. Each of these related sites offers excellent tutorials.
I would also say that during COVID-school shutdowns, science teachers and parents of teenagers have an excellent learning opportunity with these tools. There’s enough here to keep bored students interested for days. It can be something you explore together as a family.
More Information About Nature Based Solutions
For flood engineers, planners, developers, regulators and serious flood geeks, NOAA also offers the following:
A nature-based solutions training module: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/green.html
A nature-based solutions “effectiveness” database: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/gi-database.html
Other training resources: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/
Explore. Enjoy. Learn.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/20/2020
965 Days After Hurricane Harvey
AP Article Cites Texas A&M Study Showing Pollution Surged 62% Since EPA Enforcement Rollback
An Associated Press article published this afternoon and already being picked up by many news outlets cites a Texas A&M study of air quality monitors in the most heavily industrialized parts of Houston. The A&M study reportedly shows that air pollution has surged 62% in the three weeks since the EPA announced that it would relax enforcement of pollution regulations due to the corona virus.
The new enforcement standard, announced March 26th, also affects water pollution which I reported on April 1.
The EPA claims its new stance represents a reasonable response to the virus crisis. Many plants, they say, have been crippled by worker absences.
I have no problem with that. I’m sure the virus has affected law enforcement agencies around the country.
Can you imagine, for instance, what would happen if:
While I do believe that the vast majority of people and companies would continue obeying the law, I also believe that some will take advantage of the lack of enforcement. The public announcement gave a green light to people in the latter category.
Had the EPA used its enforcement discretion to quietly relax prosecution of businesses hampered by the virus, it could have shown compassion and reasonableness without harming the regulated community. However, the public announcement of the relaxed policy may have harmed residents living near pollution sources. The AP article cites many examples.
I wonder how the announcement impacted San Jacinto River sand mines and water quality. EPA enforcement in this area has never been aggressive in my opinion.
When someone writes the history of this EPA enforcement controversy, the key question will be “Why the public announcement?”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Tornado Watch for All Southeast Texas Until 3 P.M.
Tornado Watch Extended Until 10PM
As of 3PM on 4/19/2020 the tornado watch was extended until 10PM: A tornado watch is in effect for all of SE Texas. Thunderstorms have begun to develop over SE TX, especially along and near I-10. Air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. The approach of an upper level system from the west and a Pacific cool front along with veering wind profiles will support the formation of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.
Hazards
Storms may become severe with the following hazards:
For Your Protection
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020 at 9:30am and updated with new radar at 3pm.
964 Days since Hurricane Harvey