The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted a video on YouTube that contains highlights of the sedimentation survey that they conducted last week between the U.S. 59 bridge and the West Lake Houston Parkway bridge on the San Jacinto River.
This short video references some trouble spots they found and gives a good description of how “shoaling” can slow down water and back it up. Check the video out. The full results of the U.S. Army Corps survey should be available sometime this week.
The Army Corps has taken over the lead role for this project. Harris County Flood Control will play a supporting role.
Posted April 16, 2018, 230 days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2018-04-16 14:26:092018-04-16 15:11:41Video Shows Highlights from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey
On April 10, 2018, Humble ISD adopted a resolution that supports 2017 Tax Year reappraisals for taxpayers whose homes flooded during Harvey. Any rebate coming to taxpayers will only cover from August 23, 2017, the date the Governor declared Harris County a disaster area, through December 31, 2017.
Other key points:
The reappraisals and potential refunds will only impact Humble ISD taxes, not Harris County, City of Houston or any other taxing jurisdiction’s taxes.
If Hurricane Harvey damaged your property, the Harris County Appraisal District will reappraise your property based on the physical damage your property received. You will receive a Disaster Reappraisal Notification letter in the mail from HCAD with your new market value.
If you have not personally contacted HCAD to provide notification your property was damaged, contact HCAD immediately at www.hcad.org or (713) 812-5800 to ensure reappraisal of your property.
Taxpayers will have the right to file appeals with HCAD if they disagree with the revised assessment.
Most other taxable improved properties within the taxing jurisdiction’s borders will receive a Secondary Reappraisal Notification letter. This letter lets the property owner know that a jurisdiction in which he/she resides has requested reappraisal and HCAD does not have information to indicate that they were physically damaged during the disaster. If Harvey damaged your property and you receive one of these letters, contact HCAD immediately at www.hcad.org or (713) 812-5800 to ensure your property is reappraised.
Humble ISD will prorate your taxes based on the new value from the date of the disaster, August 23, 2017, until December 31, 2017.
Refund checks will come automatically; you don’t need to take any action.
Refunds could arrive as early as December, 2018.
Property owners should visit www.hcad.org or contact the Harris County Appraisal District at (713) 812-5800 if they have questions.
By Diane Cooper, Kingwood resident with 20+ years’ experience in weather and river forecasting for the National Weather Service
It only takes one storm to cause serious damage to a region, which can occur in any year, even a below normal season. So, whether the forecast is for an above, below or normal hurricane season, you should prepare. Remember! Hurricane season is only six weeks away.
Prepare to Be Hurricane Strong
Now is a good time to prepare or update your Disaster Readiness Kits. Remember: “Shelter from wind; Flee from water.” Therefore, you need to create two kits. First, prepare a disaster readiness kit for sheltering in place. Second, prepare a “grab kit” in case you need to evacuate.
For what to include in a readiness kit, see my blog post.
For your grab kit, consider these suggestions:
FIRST, you need an evacuation plan.
Know your evacuation zone and your evacuation routes.
Identify what you can quickly grab that will support you on the road for several days.
Determine a route to a destination far enough inland that you will be safe from wind and flooding.
If you evacuate, take copies of insurance policies and other important documents or have them stored online, so that you can access them remotely.
Share your evacuation plans with friends and family.
Consider that your drive time will likely be longer than normal because of heavy traffic.
Prepare to be gone for several days.
Check Insurance Policies
NOW is a good time to review your insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for you home, business and personal property. Make sure that your insurance policy covers rebuild costs and not simply your “tax-assessed value.”
Consider flood insurance. Our community leaders are working hard on flood mitigation. However, it will take time to fund and implement all mitigation measures. Until then, flood insurance can minimize your personal risk as well as risk to your business. Sadly, Harvey reminded us that inland/freshwater flooding can cause significant damages.
A standard home or renter’s insurance policy does NOT cover flood-related damages. If you already have flood insurance, make sure it covers personal property as well as your structure. (Note: if you had to purchase flood insurance to obtain a loan, your policy may not include the separate contents coverage. You can add coverage by contacting your insurance agent.) If you rent, you can take out a flood insurance policy for your personal property.
If you own a business, also consider business interruption insurance. It’s fairly inexpensive and can be a lifesaver. It’s not part of most business policies but can easily be added – inquire with your insurance agent. Specify that it covers disruptions due to extended loss of power. During Hurricane Ike, Kingwood lost power for approximately two weeks. Losing income for that long can severely harm any business.
Strengthen your Home
You can also do some simple things around your home, such as trim dead or weakened tree limbs, replace loose shingles, clean out gutters, and ensure they are securely attached. You can add hurricane clips to reinforce your roof. Also add braces to your garage door railings and cross braces to your garage door. Flash.org has more tips on how to strengthen your home and be HurricaneStrong.
Don’t Wait to Prepare
While I pray we will not experience another tropical system this year, the reality is that each year we have a risk of at least one. Thus, we need to be prepared. Take appropriate actions depending on the risk of each storm. Start to prepare now.
Posted April 12, 2018, 226 Days Since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2018-04-12 10:56:572018-04-12 12:36:13How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Video Shows Highlights from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted a video on YouTube that contains highlights of the sedimentation survey that they conducted last week between the U.S. 59 bridge and the West Lake Houston Parkway bridge on the San Jacinto River.
This short video references some trouble spots they found and gives a good description of how “shoaling” can slow down water and back it up. Check the video out. The full results of the U.S. Army Corps survey should be available sometime this week.
The Army Corps has taken over the lead role for this project. Harris County Flood Control will play a supporting role.
Posted April 16, 2018, 230 days since Hurricane Harvey
Humble ISD School Board authorizes 2017 reappraisals for taxpayers whose property flooded
On April 10, 2018, Humble ISD adopted a resolution that supports 2017 Tax Year reappraisals for taxpayers whose homes flooded during Harvey. Any rebate coming to taxpayers will only cover from August 23, 2017, the date the Governor declared Harris County a disaster area, through December 31, 2017.
Other key points:
To read the full text of the Humble ISD’s policy, visit its web site.
By Bill Fowler, Co-Chair of the Lake Houston Area Grass Roots Flood Prevention Initiative
Posted 4/15/18, 229 Days Since Harvey
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
By Diane Cooper, Kingwood resident with 20+ years’ experience in weather and river forecasting for the National Weather Service
It only takes one storm to cause serious damage to a region, which can occur in any year, even a below normal season. So, whether the forecast is for an above, below or normal hurricane season, you should prepare. Remember! Hurricane season is only six weeks away.
Prepare to Be Hurricane Strong
Now is a good time to prepare or update your Disaster Readiness Kits. Remember: “Shelter from wind; Flee from water.” Therefore, you need to create two kits. First, prepare a disaster readiness kit for sheltering in place. Second, prepare a “grab kit” in case you need to evacuate.
For what to include in a readiness kit, see my blog post.
For your grab kit, consider these suggestions:
Check Insurance Policies
NOW is a good time to review your insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for you home, business and personal property. Make sure that your insurance policy covers rebuild costs and not simply your “tax-assessed value.”
Consider flood insurance. Our community leaders are working hard on flood mitigation. However, it will take time to fund and implement all mitigation measures. Until then, flood insurance can minimize your personal risk as well as risk to your business. Sadly, Harvey reminded us that inland/freshwater flooding can cause significant damages.
A standard home or renter’s insurance policy does NOT cover flood-related damages. If you already have flood insurance, make sure it covers personal property as well as your structure. (Note: if you had to purchase flood insurance to obtain a loan, your policy may not include the separate contents coverage. You can add coverage by contacting your insurance agent.) If you rent, you can take out a flood insurance policy for your personal property.
If you own a business, also consider business interruption insurance. It’s fairly inexpensive and can be a lifesaver. It’s not part of most business policies but can easily be added – inquire with your insurance agent. Specify that it covers disruptions due to extended loss of power. During Hurricane Ike, Kingwood lost power for approximately two weeks. Losing income for that long can severely harm any business.
Strengthen your Home
You can also do some simple things around your home, such as trim dead or weakened tree limbs, replace loose shingles, clean out gutters, and ensure they are securely attached. You can add hurricane clips to reinforce your roof. Also add braces to your garage door railings and cross braces to your garage door. Flash.org has more tips on how to strengthen your home and be HurricaneStrong.
Don’t Wait to Prepare
While I pray we will not experience another tropical system this year, the reality is that each year we have a risk of at least one. Thus, we need to be prepared. Take appropriate actions depending on the risk of each storm. Start to prepare now.
Posted April 12, 2018, 226 Days Since Hurricane Harvey