Said another way, more than 100,000 homes flooded because building codes did not recognize the need to build to higher standards.
Accordingly, in the wake of Harvey, Harris County, Houston and many surrounding areas increased building code requirements. Now, most jurisdictions require that the minimum finished floor elevation be established at (or waterproofed to) the 500-year flood elevation “shown on the effective flood insurance study.”
But as builders started elevating foundations with dirt they excavated from stormwater detention basins, water started running downhill. And not always toward the detention basins. Sometimes it flows toward pre-existing neighboring homes built at lower elevations.
The problem can most often be seen during construction after forests are cleared next to existing subdivisions.
I was driving north on the US59 feeder the other day and saw this near E. Wallis Drive in Porter.
New development has been built up almost to the roofline of adjoining homes.
And less any doubt exists about how the contractors sloped the built-up area, note the erosion on that hillside in the photo below.
Note water ponding in yard and along fence line of corner home.
Also note the amount of sediment washed out to the feeder road and running into the storm drain. Contractor has installed no silt fences as best practices dictate.
As I was developing a post about the new development above, I received an email from Eric Unger who lives next to another new development several blocks south. He said that contractor raised the ground level at least a foot relative to his and his neighbors’ yards, “which results in their entire acreage now sitting higher than our yards.”
Then he said, “A recent 2-inch rain fall caused a flow of silty water to invade our yard and come dangerously close to our back porch.” He sent this image taken more than day later to me.
Photo courtesy of Eric Unger
Erosion and ponding water in the photo below make it easier to see the slope of the land toward his and his neighbors’ homes.
Note ponding next to fence lineof Unger home (bottom left) and erosion next to road.
Flooded homeowners pursued a class action lawsuit that was ultimately settled in the homeowners’ favor.
During discovery, it became apparent that contractors had shaved down a berm protecting Elm Grove and that they had not followed the engineering plans. Specifically, they were supposed to install stormwater detention basins in one section before clearcutting the next. See below what that policy resulted in.
Car submerged during Imelda at the end of Village Springs adjacent to Woodridge Village. Note the sediment laden water from the development. Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.
In Huffman, a developer clearcut 533 acres uphill from Northwoods Country Estates right before they got 17 inches of rain.
Friendswood’sSila Development in Huffman flooding neighbors in 2024
During eight years of blogging about flooding, I’ve seen this problem repeatedly.
Chapter 11.086 of the Texas Water Code prohibits altering drainage in ways that flood neighbors. But it tells developers what they should not do, not what they should do.
In my opinion, developers should force contractors to build berms shielding neighbors as soon as clearing is complete. They should also build detention basins as soon as possible after clearing. Instead, many wait a year or more.
Silt fences are not enough…as you can clearly see in the photo above.
I don’t wish to tar all developers and contractors. Many are both reputable and responsible.
But as we try to avoid problems in the future, we also need to define practices that protect homes built in the past.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/1/25
3016 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/2025/12/20251126-DJI_20251126151404_0475_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-12-01 20:17:582025-12-02 12:09:59How Solving Problems of the Past Can Create Problems of the Future
11/30/2025 – Today marks the end of the 2025 hurricane season. It was average in terms of the number of storms, but unusual in terms of where they tracked. These three screen captures from the National Hurricane Center tell the story.
2025 Named-Storm Tracks. Only one named storm hit the mainland U.S. – Chantal in early July.And none hit the US Gulf Coast.
This table shows the strength and timing of each.
And this table compares the 2025 season to a 30-year average (1991-2020).
So, the Atlantic basin had one less named storm, two fewer hurricanes, and one more major hurricane than in an average year. But for the most part, they stayed away from the U.S.
Actual Vs. Predicted
For those keeping track, in April, Colorado State University researchers predicted an above-average season with
CSU also predicted the probability of where storms would make landfall. Texas residents, they said, had a 19% chance of being within 50 miles of a major hurricane landfall this season. Those chances increased to 44% for a hurricane and 70% for a named storm. Oops.
All in, I’d say NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predictions came closer to the actual numbers, though neither was very far off.
Actual Vs. Averages
But how did the 2025 season compare to the long-term averages?
Over a 50-year period (1949–2008), the Gulf of Mexico averaged about 3.2 tropical storms per season, 1.6 hurricanes, and ~0.4 major hurricanes.
On a basin-wide (Atlantic + Caribbean + Gulf) basis, typical recent-era (1991–2020) seasons averaged 14 named storms, ~7 hurricanes, and ~3 major hurricanes.
So, the Gulf had far less activity than in an average year. However, basin wide, we came close to the average.
How Unusual Was Gulf This Year?
How unusual is it for the Gulf to have no hurricanes? Over the long term, the probability is about 20%. So it’s unusual, but far from unprecedented. There are multiple historical examples of No-Gulf-Hurricane seasons.
The longest recorded “Gulf hurricane drought” on record lasted 1,080 days (≈ 3 years), from September 2013 until September 2016 — during that period, no hurricanes entered or developed in the Gulf, according to The Weather Channel.
Why does that happen occasionally? It usually reflects unfavorable conditions for storm formation or strengthening in our sub-basin (e.g., upper-level wind shear, atmospheric stability, unfavorable steering currents). But as the map above shows, that does not mean the overall Atlantic or Caribbean is quiet. Storms may still form and even become major hurricanes, but track elsewhere, as Melissa did.
Plan for Worst, Hope for Best
The variability — including periods of many storms — argues for resilience and planning, even if some seasons are quiet. The recent cyclones that struck Sri Lanka and Indonesia make good cases in point.
Deadly floods and landslides in Sri Lanka left at least 153 people dead with hundreds more still missing at this point. According to Reuters, more than 78,000 people have been displaced.
Another cyclone struck Indonesia and killed 435 people. It destroyed tens of thousands of homes and displaced more than 200,000 people. And the cascading effects are just starting. Flooding and landslides disrupt not only homes, but agriculture, transport, and supply chains — with ripple effects on food security, local economies, and displacement.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/30/25
3015 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251130-2025-Hurricane-Tracks.jpg?fit=1100%2C876&ssl=18761100adminadmin2025-11-30 12:31:462025-12-01 09:18:05Average But Unusual 2025 Hurricane Season Ends Today
11/28/25 – Turning from the northbound US59 feeder these days onto eastbound Northpark Drive can test one’s patience. Last Wednesday – near midday – traffic was backed up for four blocks. And it took several cycles of a very long traffic light to make the turn. See below.
Looking S at traffic backed up on US59 northbound feeder at mid-day on Wednesday, 11/26/25
Note how the two turn lanes on the feeder are temporarily blocked off.
Fortunately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 is actively working on solutions to the problem.
Why Northbound Turn Lanes are Closed
The two northbound turn lanes are blocked off because of the current shortage of inbound merging lanes on Northpark. Four lanes of traffic (two turning and two coming from under the freeway) must squeeze into two lanes. And those two lanes swerve within feet of the intersection. See below.
Looking W at US59 from over Northpark. Note step-shaped piece of old pavement near intersection.
Reportedly, the new paving stopped short of the freeway at this location to avoid a closure of the road for inbound traffic.
But at some point that odd “step-shaped” area of old concrete and blacktop will have to be replaced with new concrete. And at this point, project manager Ralph De Leon thinks that should happen sooner rather than later. So he’s looking at alternatives.
“This odd area of original concrete immediately east of the intersection of the I-69 and Northpark is the issue,” said De Leon. “It needs to be torn out and replaced with new concrete. And due to its difficult location, the contractor has held off. They will probably need to close that area beginning on a Friday night, reopening on a Sunday. It will take three days.”
Engineers Studying Fix
De Leon added, “The engineers are evaluating shifting the inbound traffic northward to the current outbound lanes while the activity is taking place. Thus, instead of four westbound lanes, they will go down to two lanes both directions, but only for the weekend. And after that, we are good for the remainder of the project,” he added.
The engineers and contractor are also looking at creating “merge lanes” further to the east. They would be located roughly in the vicinity of What-a-Burger. Moving the merge area eastward, away from the intersection may improve safety.
De Leon says the engineers are now working on a Traffic Control Plan. However, before they can implement it, the contractors we will need to fabricate traffic signs that guide traffic to the merging lanes.
Regardless of which option the engineers recommend, that odd shaped piece of old pavement will need to shut down from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to replace the old concrete with new panels. The wider shot below shows where turning traffic could merge.
Looking W from farther back shows where traffic turning off US59 could merge with other inbound traffic.
Reconstruction of a major thoroughfare is never easy. However, when this is complete, it will provide major improvements to both mobility and safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/28/25
3013 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251126-DJI_20251126145900_0468_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-28 16:58:452025-11-28 17:32:52Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion
How Solving Problems of the Past Can Create Problems of the Future
12/1/25 – Sometimes, solving problems of the past creates problems of the future. Consider the elevation of homes above floodplains.
During Hurricane Harvey, 154,170 homes in Harris County flooded, according to the Harris County Flood Control District. Of that number:
Said another way, more than 100,000 homes flooded because building codes did not recognize the need to build to higher standards.
Accordingly, in the wake of Harvey, Harris County, Houston and many surrounding areas increased building code requirements. Now, most jurisdictions require that the minimum finished floor elevation be established at (or waterproofed to) the 500-year flood elevation “shown on the effective flood insurance study.”
But as builders started elevating foundations with dirt they excavated from stormwater detention basins, water started running downhill. And not always toward the detention basins. Sometimes it flows toward pre-existing neighboring homes built at lower elevations.
The problem can most often be seen during construction after forests are cleared next to existing subdivisions.
I was driving north on the US59 feeder the other day and saw this near E. Wallis Drive in Porter.
And less any doubt exists about how the contractors sloped the built-up area, note the erosion on that hillside in the photo below.
Also note the amount of sediment washed out to the feeder road and running into the storm drain. Contractor has installed no silt fences as best practices dictate.
As I was developing a post about the new development above, I received an email from Eric Unger who lives next to another new development several blocks south. He said that contractor raised the ground level at least a foot relative to his and his neighbors’ yards, “which results in their entire acreage now sitting higher than our yards.”
Then he said, “A recent 2-inch rain fall caused a flow of silty water to invade our yard and come dangerously close to our back porch.” He sent this image taken more than day later to me.
Erosion and ponding water in the photo below make it easier to see the slope of the land toward his and his neighbors’ homes.
A Disturbing Pattern
I see this same problem in development after development. In Woodridge Village, contractors clearcut 270 acres and sloped the land toward Elm Grove Village in Kingwood. Up to 600 homes then flooded twice in 2019 before the City of Houston and Harris County stepped in and purchased the land from Perry Homes.
Flooded homeowners pursued a class action lawsuit that was ultimately settled in the homeowners’ favor.
During discovery, it became apparent that contractors had shaved down a berm protecting Elm Grove and that they had not followed the engineering plans. Specifically, they were supposed to install stormwater detention basins in one section before clearcutting the next. See below what that policy resulted in.
In Huffman, a developer clearcut 533 acres uphill from Northwoods Country Estates right before they got 17 inches of rain.
Meritage cleared 40 acres for 255 homes in Atascocita on both sides of Pinehurst Trail Drive. Then on 4/5/25, they got 2.6 inches of rain in 2 hours.
During eight years of blogging about flooding, I’ve seen this problem repeatedly.
Chapter 11.086 of the Texas Water Code prohibits altering drainage in ways that flood neighbors. But it tells developers what they should not do, not what they should do.
In my opinion, developers should force contractors to build berms shielding neighbors as soon as clearing is complete. They should also build detention basins as soon as possible after clearing. Instead, many wait a year or more.
Silt fences are not enough…as you can clearly see in the photo above.
I don’t wish to tar all developers and contractors. Many are both reputable and responsible.
But as we try to avoid problems in the future, we also need to define practices that protect homes built in the past.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/1/25
3016 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.
Average But Unusual 2025 Hurricane Season Ends Today
11/30/2025 – Today marks the end of the 2025 hurricane season. It was average in terms of the number of storms, but unusual in terms of where they tracked. These three screen captures from the National Hurricane Center tell the story.
This table shows the strength and timing of each.
And this table compares the 2025 season to a 30-year average (1991-2020).
So, the Atlantic basin had one less named storm, two fewer hurricanes, and one more major hurricane than in an average year. But for the most part, they stayed away from the U.S.
Actual Vs. Predicted
For those keeping track, in April, Colorado State University researchers predicted an above-average season with
Then in May, NOAA also predicted an above-average season with:
CSU also predicted the probability of where storms would make landfall. Texas residents, they said, had a 19% chance of being within 50 miles of a major hurricane landfall this season. Those chances increased to 44% for a hurricane and 70% for a named storm. Oops.
All in, I’d say NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predictions came closer to the actual numbers, though neither was very far off.
Actual Vs. Averages
But how did the 2025 season compare to the long-term averages?
So, the Gulf had far less activity than in an average year. However, basin wide, we came close to the average.
How Unusual Was Gulf This Year?
How unusual is it for the Gulf to have no hurricanes? Over the long term, the probability is about 20%. So it’s unusual, but far from unprecedented. There are multiple historical examples of No-Gulf-Hurricane seasons.
The longest recorded “Gulf hurricane drought” on record lasted 1,080 days (≈ 3 years), from September 2013 until September 2016 — during that period, no hurricanes entered or developed in the Gulf, according to The Weather Channel.
Why does that happen occasionally? It usually reflects unfavorable conditions for storm formation or strengthening in our sub-basin (e.g., upper-level wind shear, atmospheric stability, unfavorable steering currents). But as the map above shows, that does not mean the overall Atlantic or Caribbean is quiet. Storms may still form and even become major hurricanes, but track elsewhere, as Melissa did.
Plan for Worst, Hope for Best
The variability — including periods of many storms — argues for resilience and planning, even if some seasons are quiet. The recent cyclones that struck Sri Lanka and Indonesia make good cases in point.
Deadly floods and landslides in Sri Lanka left at least 153 people dead with hundreds more still missing at this point. According to Reuters, more than 78,000 people have been displaced.
Another cyclone struck Indonesia and killed 435 people. It destroyed tens of thousands of homes and displaced more than 200,000 people. And the cascading effects are just starting. Flooding and landslides disrupt not only homes, but agriculture, transport, and supply chains — with ripple effects on food security, local economies, and displacement.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/30/25
3015 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion
11/28/25 – Turning from the northbound US59 feeder these days onto eastbound Northpark Drive can test one’s patience. Last Wednesday – near midday – traffic was backed up for four blocks. And it took several cycles of a very long traffic light to make the turn. See below.
Note how the two turn lanes on the feeder are temporarily blocked off.
Fortunately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 is actively working on solutions to the problem.
Why Northbound Turn Lanes are Closed
The two northbound turn lanes are blocked off because of the current shortage of inbound merging lanes on Northpark. Four lanes of traffic (two turning and two coming from under the freeway) must squeeze into two lanes. And those two lanes swerve within feet of the intersection. See below.
Reportedly, the new paving stopped short of the freeway at this location to avoid a closure of the road for inbound traffic.
But at some point that odd “step-shaped” area of old concrete and blacktop will have to be replaced with new concrete. And at this point, project manager Ralph De Leon thinks that should happen sooner rather than later. So he’s looking at alternatives.
“This odd area of original concrete immediately east of the intersection of the I-69 and Northpark is the issue,” said De Leon. “It needs to be torn out and replaced with new concrete. And due to its difficult location, the contractor has held off. They will probably need to close that area beginning on a Friday night, reopening on a Sunday. It will take three days.”
Engineers Studying Fix
De Leon added, “The engineers are evaluating shifting the inbound traffic northward to the current outbound lanes while the activity is taking place. Thus, instead of four westbound lanes, they will go down to two lanes both directions, but only for the weekend. And after that, we are good for the remainder of the project,” he added.
The engineers and contractor are also looking at creating “merge lanes” further to the east. They would be located roughly in the vicinity of What-a-Burger. Moving the merge area eastward, away from the intersection may improve safety.
De Leon says the engineers are now working on a Traffic Control Plan. However, before they can implement it, the contractors we will need to fabricate traffic signs that guide traffic to the merging lanes.
Regardless of which option the engineers recommend, that odd shaped piece of old pavement will need to shut down from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to replace the old concrete with new panels. The wider shot below shows where turning traffic could merge.
Reconstruction of a major thoroughfare is never easy. However, when this is complete, it will provide major improvements to both mobility and safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/28/25
3013 Days since Hurricane Harvey