7/25/2026 – Last Thursday, a meteorological fluke spared the Lake Houston Area from the worst of Tropical Storm Bertha. Others nearby were not so lucky.
Throughout history, many cultures, military organizations, emergency managers, coaches and writers have coined sayings that contrast the value of preparation with luck. Here are some of my favorites that could apply equally to flood control.
Classic Proverbs
“Luck favors the prepared.” (Often attributed to Louis Pasteur in various forms)
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Ben Franklin)
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
“Dig the well before you’re thirsty.”
“Repair the roof while the sun is shining.” (Popularized by John F. Kennedy)
Military Sayings
“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
“Proper planning prevents poor performance.” (Known as the Five Ps)
Emergency managers often express the same idea without mentioning luck:
“Preparedness saves lives.”
“Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can.”
“Prepared, not scared.”
“When seconds count, preparation matters.”
Some that mention luck:
“Hope is not a strategy.”
“Luck is not a plan.”
“Don’t confuse good luck with good judgment.”
“Past success is not proof of future safety.”
“Just because you’ve been lucky doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
“Luck eventually runs out; preparation doesn’t.”
“Every disaster survivor was lucky. The prepared ones needed less luck.”
“The safest families don’t count on luck; they count on preparation.”
“Ignoring risk is gambling. Preparing for it is responsibility.”
Flood Control
“The best time to prepare for the next flood is before the river rises.”
“Floods don’t care how lucky you’ve been.”
“Every floodplain eventually reminds people why it’s a floodplain.”
“Nature keeps no record of how many times you’ve gotten away with it.”
“A century without a flood doesn’t cancel tomorrow’s forecast.”
Past is Not A Prologue
Many people mistake the absence of past losses for the absence of risk, when in reality they may simply have benefited from a run of favorable conditions. Two poignant expressions in that regard:
“When it comes to protecting your family, hope is a virtue—but preparation is a responsibility.”
“Building your family’s safety on luck is like buying insurance after the storm has begun.”
What You Can Do
So, what can ordinary citizens do to prepare? I have a very short list of suggestions.
Become politically involved. Understand what is and isn’t being done to reduce your flood risk. And demand results.
Support HCFCD’s new executive director as he tries to turn the organization’s CIP program around and start, once again, building the projects voters approved almost 9 years ago.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/2026
3252 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bond-CIP-as-of-26.02.01.png?fit=2068%2C784&ssl=17842068adminadmin2026-07-25 17:33:122026-07-25 17:53:41Luck as a Flood-Control Strategy
7/24/26 – This week’s Northpark Drive expansion update includes news on the bridge, Loop 494, traffic lights and the entry ponds.
No-one ever said building the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood would be easy. But the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 took on the job which has entailed coordinating the work of multiple utilities and political jurisdictions and a railroad. They each have their own priorities and timetables.
Bridge Over Loop 494 and UPRR Tracks
The bridge over Loop 494 and the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks is one of the signature features of the Northpark Expansion project. It will enable the smooth flow of traffic during evacuations even when trains stall on the UPRR tracks or stoplights at 494 get knocked out.
The east ramp for the bridge by Dunkin’ Donuts is now totally paved and virtually complete. Work has shifted to building turn lanes under where the bridge will go and sinking piers for the bridge.
Rebar for bridge piers being hoisted into place.Eastern Northpark Bridge abutment. Cranes are drilling holes as crews prepare rebar cages to reinforce the concrete piers. Crews are also prepping a u-turn under the bridge at this location.Closer shot of prep work on U-turn lane. Note circular rebar cage top right.Drilling holes for the piers takes some serious equipment.
494 Detour
The intersection of Loop 494 and Northpark was shut down for several weeks while contractors installed north-to-south drainage across Northpark. However, they have completed that operation and repaved 494.
Surface lanes are now complete on 494 and curbs have been installed. Photo from a week ago.
But before they can remove the concrete traffic barriers that detour traffic, UPRR must be present to coordinate their crossing signals with other systems.
Everyone is reportedly scrambling to open the intersection before school starts next month.
Traffic Light Coordination
City of Houston, TxDOT, METRO, Harris County and Montgomery County all have signals. Transtar is the entity that manages/integrates each of the individual jurisdictions and signalized intersections onto a single monitoring system. Integration is one of the steps needed when they upgrade to a new system.
Farther east on Northpark at Russell Palmer Road, several weeks ago, a contractor realized the “pedestrian push-to-cross signal” on the north side of Northpark was not connected to the controller box.
According to Ralph De Leon, Northpark project manager, connection involved boring underneath the roadway, installing conduit, then running wire, etc. That’s done now. Now the City needs to run their diagnostics, inspect everything and only then can the signals become operational.”
De Leon described the complexity, “Signal boxes now have their own IP address. They are complex devices that run on software that generates endless codes/numerical signals. In terms of process, we bought the traffic signal control box, handed it to the City, they put it in their shop, loaded the software, programmed its computer, generated a logbook, then ran diagnostic after diagnostic.”
I noticed City crews working on stoplights at several places on Northpark today. So. we may be close. The new target date for fully functional signals at Russell Palmer is July 31.
Entry Ponds
Sunlight can break down pond liners unless water covers them. So, closing on the property that will hold the well that keeps the ponds full was necessary before the pond liners could be placed.
A sale-and-purchase agreement for land has now been signed by all parties. The earnest money was deposited yesterday and the title company is working on scheduling the closing.
Now, De Leon is working with KSA, which has agreed to operate the well long-term.
7/23/26 – One of the leading conservation groups in the area, the Bayou Land Conservancy (BLC), has lined up against the proposed 5,300-acre Scarborough development at the confluence of Spring Creek and the San Jacinto West Fork.
Almost 10,000 citizens have already signed a petition against Scarborough’s development. Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council have also unanimously approved resolutions opposing it because of its potential impacts on public safety and regional infrastructure.
According to BLC, development of the environmentally sensitive property also raises concerns about drinking water, and the future of one of the Houston region’s most important natural floodplains.
BLC’s Board of Directors recently adopted a formal resolution opposing the Scarborough Development. The Board believes the project would put critical floodplains and wetlands at risk and could increase flooding downstream while affecting water quality in the Lake Houston watershed.
From FEMA’s Flood Hazard Layer Viewer. Scarborough property in center at confluence of Spring and Cypress Creeks with San Jacinto West Fork. US59, Kingwood and Forest Cove on right.Cross-hatch = Floodway, Aqua = 100-Year Floodplain, Brown = 500-year Floodplain.
Note that the flood map above is based on pre-Atlas-14 data. So the situation is actually much worse than depicted. Montgomery County has not yet adopted new flood maps based on Atlas 14.
Why Leaving the Land Natural Matters
Scarborough’s property currently functions as a natural floodwater storage area. It slows and absorbs stormwater while filtering water that ultimately flows into Lake Houston.
Lake Houston serves as the primary drinking water source for approximately 2.4 million people across the Greater Houston Area, according to Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger.
The property, commonly referred to as the “Scarborough Development” or Ryko tract, lies within one of the most environmentally sensitive and flood-prone areas of the Lake Houston watershed.
“Bayou Land Conservancy’s mission is the permanent preservation of land along streams to protect people from flooding, safeguard clean water, and conserve wildlife habitat,” said Jill Boullion, the Executive Director of Bayou Land Conservancy. “This property checks all those boxes. It needs to be protected, but we need help from the community to succeed,” she added.
This specific tract of land consists predominantly of active floodplains and wetlands that currently act as a critical natural sponge, absorbing and slowing floodwaters, and providing essential water filtration for the Lake Houston watershed. Clearing and filling these wetlands to elevate the property for development could increase the speed and volume of stormwater runoff, placing downstream communities at greater risk of flooding while undermining regional flood mitigation efforts.
Typical Wetland on Scarborough Property
BLC Encourages Public to Sign Petition
BLC is encouraging members of the public to join the effort and make their voices heard by signing a petition to support the permanent protection of the proposed development and by contacting their elected representatives.
Those interested in supporting this conservation effort can help by signing the petition against Scarborough, contacting their elected officials, and advocating for the permanent conservation of this land.
The BLC Board has also authorized BLC staff to actively advocate for the preservation of the property through:
Public education
Collaboration with community and environmental partners
Engagement with elected officials
Submission of regulatory comments
The BLC Board may also pursue conservation easements to permanently protect portions of the property.
About Bayou Land Conservancy: Bayou Land Conservancy preserves land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife. BLC is a nationally accredited, community-supported land preservation organization dedicated to permanently protecting land, with a focus on the streams that feed Lake Houston, an important source of drinking water for millions of people in the Houston region.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/23/26
3250 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/2025/11/20251103-Layered-Maps.jpg?fit=1100%2C563&ssl=15631100adminadmin2026-07-23 11:35:132026-07-23 18:57:02Bayou Land Conservancy Joins Crowd Opposing Scarborough Development
Luck as a Flood-Control Strategy
7/25/2026 – Last Thursday, a meteorological fluke spared the Lake Houston Area from the worst of Tropical Storm Bertha. Others nearby were not so lucky.
The lopsided nature of Bertha, the collapse of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal funding, and the resignation of former HCFCD Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen under pressure should all serve as powerful reminders that luck is not a reliable flood control strategy.
Throughout history, many cultures, military organizations, emergency managers, coaches and writers have coined sayings that contrast the value of preparation with luck. Here are some of my favorites that could apply equally to flood control.
Classic Proverbs
“Luck favors the prepared.” (Often attributed to Louis Pasteur in various forms)
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Ben Franklin)
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
“Dig the well before you’re thirsty.”
“Repair the roof while the sun is shining.” (Popularized by John F. Kennedy)
Military Sayings
“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
“Proper planning prevents poor performance.” (Known as the Five Ps)
“Amateurs talk strategy. Professionals talk logistics.”
“Success depends on preparation, not hope.“
Emergency Management
Emergency managers often express the same idea without mentioning luck:
“Preparedness saves lives.”
“Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can.”
“Prepared, not scared.”
“When seconds count, preparation matters.”
Some that mention luck:
“Hope is not a strategy.”
“Luck is not a plan.”
“Don’t confuse good luck with good judgment.”
“Past success is not proof of future safety.”
“Just because you’ve been lucky doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
“Luck eventually runs out; preparation doesn’t.”
“Every disaster survivor was lucky. The prepared ones needed less luck.”
“The safest families don’t count on luck; they count on preparation.”
“Ignoring risk is gambling. Preparing for it is responsibility.”
Flood Control
“The best time to prepare for the next flood is before the river rises.”
“Floods don’t care how lucky you’ve been.”
“Every floodplain eventually reminds people why it’s a floodplain.”
“Nature keeps no record of how many times you’ve gotten away with it.”
“A century without a flood doesn’t cancel tomorrow’s forecast.”
Past is Not A Prologue
Many people mistake the absence of past losses for the absence of risk, when in reality they may simply have benefited from a run of favorable conditions. Two poignant expressions in that regard:
“When it comes to protecting your family, hope is a virtue—but preparation is a responsibility.”
“Building your family’s safety on luck is like buying insurance after the storm has begun.”
What You Can Do
So, what can ordinary citizens do to prepare? I have a very short list of suggestions.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/2026
3252 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Bridge, Traffic Lights, 494 Detour, Pond Updates
7/24/26 – This week’s Northpark Drive expansion update includes news on the bridge, Loop 494, traffic lights and the entry ponds.
No-one ever said building the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood would be easy. But the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 took on the job which has entailed coordinating the work of multiple utilities and political jurisdictions and a railroad. They each have their own priorities and timetables.
Bridge Over Loop 494 and UPRR Tracks
The bridge over Loop 494 and the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks is one of the signature features of the Northpark Expansion project. It will enable the smooth flow of traffic during evacuations even when trains stall on the UPRR tracks or stoplights at 494 get knocked out.
The east ramp for the bridge by Dunkin’ Donuts is now totally paved and virtually complete. Work has shifted to building turn lanes under where the bridge will go and sinking piers for the bridge.
494 Detour
The intersection of Loop 494 and Northpark was shut down for several weeks while contractors installed north-to-south drainage across Northpark. However, they have completed that operation and repaved 494.
Surface lanes are now complete on 494 and curbs have been installed. Photo from a week ago.
But before they can remove the concrete traffic barriers that detour traffic, UPRR must be present to coordinate their crossing signals with other systems.
Everyone is reportedly scrambling to open the intersection before school starts next month.
Traffic Light Coordination
City of Houston, TxDOT, METRO, Harris County and Montgomery County all have signals. Transtar is the entity that manages/integrates each of the individual jurisdictions and signalized intersections onto a single monitoring system. Integration is one of the steps needed when they upgrade to a new system.
Farther east on Northpark at Russell Palmer Road, several weeks ago, a contractor realized the “pedestrian push-to-cross signal” on the north side of Northpark was not connected to the controller box.
According to Ralph De Leon, Northpark project manager, connection involved boring underneath the roadway, installing conduit, then running wire, etc. That’s done now. Now the City needs to run their diagnostics, inspect everything and only then can the signals become operational.”
De Leon described the complexity, “Signal boxes now have their own IP address. They are complex devices that run on software that generates endless codes/numerical signals. In terms of process, we bought the traffic signal control box, handed it to the City, they put it in their shop, loaded the software, programmed its computer, generated a logbook, then ran diagnostic after diagnostic.”
I noticed City crews working on stoplights at several places on Northpark today. So. we may be close. The new target date for fully functional signals at Russell Palmer is July 31.
Entry Ponds
Sunlight can break down pond liners unless water covers them. So, closing on the property that will hold the well that keeps the ponds full was necessary before the pond liners could be placed.
A sale-and-purchase agreement for land has now been signed by all parties. The earnest money was deposited yesterday and the title company is working on scheduling the closing.
Now, De Leon is working with KSA, which has agreed to operate the well long-term.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/24/2026
3251 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Bayou Land Conservancy Joins Crowd Opposing Scarborough Development
7/23/26 – One of the leading conservation groups in the area, the Bayou Land Conservancy (BLC), has lined up against the proposed 5,300-acre Scarborough development at the confluence of Spring Creek and the San Jacinto West Fork.
BLC joins a growing list of people and organizations opposing the floodplain development, which one of the area’s leading hydrologists said would “be like aiming a firehose at Humble and Kingwood.”
Almost 10,000 citizens have already signed a petition against Scarborough’s development. Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council have also unanimously approved resolutions opposing it because of its potential impacts on public safety and regional infrastructure.
According to BLC, development of the environmentally sensitive property also raises concerns about drinking water, and the future of one of the Houston region’s most important natural floodplains.
BLC’s Board of Directors recently adopted a formal resolution opposing the Scarborough Development. The Board believes the project would put critical floodplains and wetlands at risk and could increase flooding downstream while affecting water quality in the Lake Houston watershed.
Note that the flood map above is based on pre-Atlas-14 data. So the situation is actually much worse than depicted. Montgomery County has not yet adopted new flood maps based on Atlas 14.
Why Leaving the Land Natural Matters
Scarborough’s property currently functions as a natural floodwater storage area. It slows and absorbs stormwater while filtering water that ultimately flows into Lake Houston.
Lake Houston serves as the primary drinking water source for approximately 2.4 million people across the Greater Houston Area, according to Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger.
The property, commonly referred to as the “Scarborough Development” or Ryko tract, lies within one of the most environmentally sensitive and flood-prone areas of the Lake Houston watershed.
“Bayou Land Conservancy’s mission is the permanent preservation of land along streams to protect people from flooding, safeguard clean water, and conserve wildlife habitat,” said Jill Boullion, the Executive Director of Bayou Land Conservancy. “This property checks all those boxes. It needs to be protected, but we need help from the community to succeed,” she added.
This specific tract of land consists predominantly of active floodplains and wetlands that currently act as a critical natural sponge, absorbing and slowing floodwaters, and providing essential water filtration for the Lake Houston watershed. Clearing and filling these wetlands to elevate the property for development could increase the speed and volume of stormwater runoff, placing downstream communities at greater risk of flooding while undermining regional flood mitigation efforts.
BLC Encourages Public to Sign Petition
BLC is encouraging members of the public to join the effort and make their voices heard by signing a petition to support the permanent protection of the proposed development and by contacting their elected representatives.
Those interested in supporting this conservation effort can help by signing the petition against Scarborough, contacting their elected officials, and advocating for the permanent conservation of this land.
Other Specifics of BLC Board Decision
The BLC Board has also authorized BLC staff to actively advocate for the preservation of the property through:
The BLC Board may also pursue conservation easements to permanently protect portions of the property.
About Bayou Land Conservancy: Bayou Land Conservancy preserves land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife. BLC is a nationally accredited, community-supported land preservation organization dedicated to permanently protecting land, with a focus on the streams that feed Lake Houston, an important source of drinking water for millions of people in the Houston region.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/23/26
3250 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.