Montgomery County, Harris County Flood Control and SJRA Working on Funding Agreement for Flood Control

(April 17, 2018) Montgomery County, Harris County Flood Control District and the San Jacinto River Authority are finalizing an agreement for a $2.5 million study that will improve the region’s flood notification capabilities and identify specific flood control projects.

The Harris County Flood Control District submitted the grant application to the Texas Division of Emergency Management on April 16th.

Thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott, up to $1.875 million in federal funds could be allocated for the study if the grant is awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. It requires a 25 percent match; if the full $2.5 million is received, the local match would be $625,000. Montgomery county, SJRA and Harris County Flood Control would share that matching cost.

“With this study we will gain a better knowledge of our Montgomery County streams and watersheds, a more complete flood warning system, and the ability to identify specific projects that could reduce the risk of flooding in the future,” Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said.

San Jacinto River Watershed Flow Rates

Where Water Came From During Harvey

The goals of the study are to:

  • Prepare a plan to integrate flood warning information from HCFCD, SJRA, MCO, and COH into a shared system that can be utilized by all parties to make informed decisions; it includes expanding the flood warning system network.
  • Coordinate with flood responders including Harris County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Montgomery County OEM, SJRA, City of Houston, and potentially others, such as the Harris County Flood Control District’s Hydrologic Operations Department, to develop a consistent communications protocol and action plan.
  • Recommend strategies to reduce flood risk and prepare a plan to implement the recommendations. Flood damage reduction options will likely include large regional detention ponds, channel improvements, vegetation and sedimentation removal, and property buy-outs.
  • Develop programs and/or materials that educate the decision makers and the public on the extent of the San Jacinto River Basin, general drainage patterns, maintenance programs for the San Jacinto River and its tributaries, potential flood reduction projects, and information relating to major flooding in the San Jacinto River watershed.

The proposed study would examine the entire San Jacinto River watershed, including Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, Peach Creek, Caney Creek, Lake Creek, the east and west forks of the San Jacinto and others. Review the scope of the project here.

If this cooperative project gets underway soon, it will mean that survey work on the East Fork of the San Jacinto can begin while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges the West Fork between I-69 and Lake Houston. Concurrent work will speed up flood mitigation.

Posted April 20, 2018, 234 Days Since Hurricane Harvey

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Announces Pre-Bid Meeting for Emergency Dredging of San Jacinto River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has posted a notice of what appears to be a pre-bid meeting on April 26, 2018, for Emergency Dredging of the San Jacinto River. They are inviting potential vendors to an “Industry Day” in which vendors will learn about project and government requirements. The government, in turn, will learn about industry capabilities.
“Excessive debris from Hurricane Harvey is exacerbating and impeding the free flow of water down this portion of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.”
The project calls for dredging eight miles of the river from Interstate 69 all the way to Lake Houston. That will come as a relief to many Lake Houston Area residents. Some early announcements had the project stopping at the West Lake Houston Parkway bridge. The meeting between USACE and interested industry participants will be held online on April 26, 2018, at 10 a.m. Central Time. The Army Corps notice states in part:

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District, is requesting input from industry and others parties for an upcoming Emergency Dredging project. The Government has a requirement to dredge and remove shoal material within the West Fork of the San Jacinto River from Interstate 69 to the confluence of Lake Houston. Dredging limits, production rates, completion time and liquidated damages will be determined by the H&H modeling. Excessive debris from Hurricane Harvey is exacerbating and impeding the free flow of water down this portion of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.”

“The purpose of this Industry Day is for planning purposes and improve the understanding of the Government requirements and industry capabilities, thereby allowing potential offerors to judge whether or how they can satisfy the Government’s requirements, and enhancing the Government’s ability to obtain construction services, at reasonable prices, and increase efficiency.”

Interested vendors can sign up to attend the meeting at the link above. ReduceFlooding.com will follow this project closely. Next steps include formulation of specifications, bidding, award of bid, and mobilization before actual dredging begins. However, the entire process is being expedited under the governor’s emergency proclamation.

Posted April 20, 2018, 234 Days Since Hurricane Harvey

Update on Multiple Flood Mitigation Projects Affecting Lake Houston Area

Giant sandbar virtually blocks the west fork of the San Jacinto River just downstream from River Grove Park.

(Kingwood, Texas, April 17, 2017) At a meeting of the Lake Houston Area Grass Roots Flood Prevention Initiative tonight, Kaaren Cambio and Dave Martin updated more than 150 people about the status of numerous post-Hurricane Harvey flood mitigation projects. Bill Fowler, co-chair of the Grass Roots Initiative, led off the event by discussing tax rebates and re-assessments for homeowners who flooded and who nearly flooded.

San Jacinto River Authority Flood Mitigation Projects

Cambio, one of Kingwood’s two new members on the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) board,  spoke about projects being spearheaded by the SJRA and its partners. They included the SJRA’s response to new flood mitigation orders issued by Governor Abbott, a watershed-wide flood study, potentially lowering the level of Lake Conroe, tougher regulations on upstream sand miners, buyouts, creation of additional reservoirs, and more.

City of Houston Flood Mitigation Projects

Martin, Houston District E City Council Member, spoke about additional projects being spearheaded by the City. They included a sedimentation survey of the Lake Houston and its tributaries, the addition of tainter gates to the Lake Houston Dam, dredging and more.

Martin also spoke at length about the City’s recent decision to lower the level of Lake Houston in anticipation of a storm at the end of March. The storm dumped an average of 5 inches of rain across the San Jacinto watershed. In a show of hands, virtually all attendees agreed that the  decision to lower Lake Houston prevented widespread flooding and that the policy should be continued.

For details, view Cambio’s and Martin’s presentations via the hyperlinks above or on the Reports page.

Give Texas GLO Feedback on Its Flood Mitigation Action Plan

Cambio urged area residents to contact the Texas General Land Office prior to April 26 re: the  state’s action plan. The state is seeking feedback on its action plan and how it will spend more than $5 billion.  The nature and volume of feedback could affect the amount of funding that Lake Houston area projects receive from the state.

Posted April 17,2018, 231 days after Hurricane Harvey

 

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:

  • 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.

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:

  • 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

Army Corps Finishes Sedimentation Survey Field Work on First Leg of West Fork

Below is the official press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the field work for the sedimentation survey they completed on April 9.

“HOUSTON (April 10, 2018)

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District began surveying levels of sediment deposits last weekend within the West Fork of the San Jacinto River in response to a State of Texas and FEMA request.”

“To determine the level of shoaling and silt accumulation within the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, a New Orleans District Corps survey crew and vessel began collecting GPS and sonar data near Humble and Atascocita from Apr. 6-9 along a five-mile area between Hwy 69/59 and West Lake Houston Parkway

“Corps Surveyors operated a 20 foot Xpress Boat with survey grade GPS and a sonar transducer to determine sediment deposition,” said Alicia Rea, an emergency management response official with the Galveston District.

“FEMA responded to a request from the State of Texas and under Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act of 1988, FEMA directed the Corps to begin the initial assessment of the conditions. Army Corps Hydrologists will utilize the survey data and use hydrologic modeling to determine the best course of action.

“County and City officials conducted a site visit to the locations on April 10, 2018” said Rea.

“We believe this is the most prudent action to take to better define the scope of work,” said Rea. “The USACE and FEMA are working diligently to expedite the process.”   (END OF PRESS RELEASE)

Results of Survey Available Soon

Sources tell me (Bob Rehak) that the results of the Army Corps survey may be available as early as next week. This is good news with hurricane season just six weeks away.

However, there is still a lot of work to do before dredging begins. Everyone must agree on specs for the job. Bidders must be identified. A location to store or dispose of the dredged material must be found. Bidders must have time to prepare their bids. An environmental survey must be conducted. They must allow time for a comment period. The bid must be awarded. Crews must be mobilized.

Some steps can happen in parallel but others must happen sequentially. Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it could take a month or two before dredging begins – more likely two than one.

We hope that while that work is underway, preliminary work can begin on subsequent legs of the river to further expedite completion of the entire job.

At Least Four Major Blockages on West Fork

Here are four photos from the West Fork that I took shortly after Harvey. They show some of the major blockages between 59 and the lake that we hope the Army Corps addresses. The first two were taken upstream of the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge. The second two were taken downstream. Approximately 70% of the Kingwood homes that flooded were downstream from the bridge.

The new sandbar deposited by Hurricane Harvey now forces water coming out of the drainage ditch in the background on the left to make a 90 degree left hand turn before it can reach the river. This slows the velocity of runoff and backs up water into subdivisions, like the Barrington in the background. While the sandbar looks gentle from the air it is up to 15 feet high near the ditch.

South of the Kingwood Country Club’s Island Course, Hurricane Harvey deposited several feet of sand that is filling in the back channels and expanding the islands of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, thus reducing its carrying capacity.

Looking north toward Kingwood’s Kings Harbor subdivision, a popular entertainment district that was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. The West Lake Houston Parkway bridge is on the left. In the foreground, sand now reaches the tree tops and is virtually as high as the bridge itself. Water used to flow under the bridge and through the area in the foreground during floods. Now it is forced north.

A giant sand dune has formed near where the east and west forks of the San Jacinto join, inhibiting the flow of the river. Engineers say that sediment is not being carried out into Lake Houston (background) as expected. Areas beyond these dunes experienced far less flood damage from Harvey than the areas behind them. That’s the FM1960 Bridge in the background.

Here is link to an Army Corps Facebook post about the project that shows 20+ additional pictures of the survey crew at work on the west fork.

By Bob Rehak

Posted April 11, 2018, 225 days since Hurricane Harvey.

 

 

Forecasters Predict a Slightly Above Average Hurricane Season for 2018

By Diane Cooper, Kingwood resident with 20+ years’ experience in weather and river forecasting for the National Weather Service

Colorado State University (CSU) released its initial 2018 Hurricane Outlook on April 5. It indicates an Above Normal Hurricane Season.

They predict:

  • 14 named storms
  • 7 hurricanes
  • 3 major hurricanes

The average number of tropical storms per year from 1981-2010:

  • 12 named storms
  • 6 hurricanes
  • 3 major hurricanes
Outlooks: Between Historical Averages and Near-Term Forecasts

Note: CSU outlooks are not near-term forecasts. Neither are they historical averages; that’s climate. Outlooks describe the probability of how any one season will likely vary from the average. To do that, scientists track numerous oscillations in the earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Historically, the high and low points of these oscillations have correlated highly with the presence or absence of hurricane formation. (For details about the Colorado State University Outlook, see their technical paper.

Key Factors Considered in This Hurricane Outlook

CSU indicates that Pacific and Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) were key factors in formulating their early 2018 outlook.

The International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecast the “ENSO phase.” (ENSO refers to El Niño/Southern Oscillation, which has three phases: El Niño, Neutral, and La Niña.)

Both groups predict that the current weak La Niña will transition to an ENSO-neutral phase during this spring or early summer. However, they do not anticipate a significant El Niño for this summer or fall. (Note: ENSO models tend to be more accurate from June to December than from February to May. So, a March outlook contains more uncertainty.) For more information about the ENSO forecasts, see the International Research Institute (IRI) ENSO Forecast.

Neutral Conditions in Pacific Favor Hurricane Development in Atlantic

El Niño conditions in the Pacific (above-average SSTs that are tracked over a 3-month period)  typically increase wind shear in the Caribbean and Atlantic. That reduces the chances of hurricanes fully organizing and strengthening, however we can still experience tropical systems and hurricanes with El Niño conditions.

Neutral ENSO conditions, on the other hand,  allow for normal wind shear patterns over the areas in the Atlantic Ocean where tropical development tends to occur.  Decreased wind shear provides a more favorable environment for Atlantic hurricane development.

Atlantic Sea Temps Now Vary, Causing Uncertainty

Currently, the western tropical Atlantic Ocean is very warm, while portions of the eastern tropical Atlantic and far North Atlantic are cool. Thus, forecasters have difficulty predicting how warm waters will become during the peak Atlantic hurricane season. Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30th, but the peak is mid-August through mid-October.

The main area where forecasters study Atlantic SSTs is called the Atlantic hurricane Main Development Region (MDR). The MDR includes the tropical North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea between 9.5°N and 21.5°N latitude.

For more information about factors influencing hurricane outlooks and ENSO states, see What Influences the Long-Range Weather Outlooks.

Difference Between Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Sustained wind speeds determine the classification of a tropical system.

  • Tropical Depression – 38 mph or less
  • Tropical Storm – 39 mph to 73 mph.
  • Hurricane – 74 mph and higher.
  • Major Hurricane – 111 mph and higher. These are Category 3, 4 or 5 storms that have significant impacts, especially if the center of the storm comes ashore.

This video shows types of damage to expect as wind speeds increase.

Why Hurricane Outlooks Matter

Serious damage can occur in any storm. However, a slightly above normal outlook increases the odds that a tropical system will reach the U.S. coast. That’s simply because we expect to have more storms. More storms increase chances that one will come ashore near us.

Be Prepared, Not Sorry

Despite the outlook for an above normal season, the U.S. and Texas may see no direct hit from a tropical system. Outlooks say nothing about where topical systems will make landfall.

However, multiple storms could strike the Texas coast, as they did in 2008, when the CSU team predicted a “well above average” hurricane season. Texas took four direct hits between July 23 and September 8. The eye of Hurricane Ike passed right over Kingwood, knocking out power for approximately two weeks. Ike was one of the most destructive hurricanes ever to hit Texas and one of the deadliest. It caused $19.3 billion in damages and killed 84 people.

Typical Hurricane Ike wind damage in Kingwood, TX, in 2008. Ike moved quickly and caused more wind than water damage in Kingwood. The opposite was true near the coast where a 22-foot storm surge wiped out thousands of homes on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1st, so start preparing now. In my next post, I’ll talk about how to prepare for a hurricane.

In the meantime, also remember that it does not take a tropical system to produce significant rainfall in southeast Texas. The 2015 Memorial Day flood and the 2016 Tax Day Floods are recent examples of 500+ year floods not connected to a tropical system. We should always be prepared for potential flooding in this area.

Posted April 10, 2018, 224 Days after Hurricane Harvey

Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative Announces Cambio to Speak At Next Meeting

Please mark your calendars. Attend the next meeting of the Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., April 17 at the Kingwood Community Center.

Featured Speaker: SJRA Board Member Kaaren Cambio 

Kaaren Cambio, one of Kingwood’s two new representatives on the San Jacinto River Authority Board, will update residents on the SJRA’s new role in flood prevention. Additionally, she will update us on many significant flood prevention developments since the group’s last meeting.

About the Lake Houston Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative

The Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative consists of local residents dedicated to preventing future flooding in the Lake Houston Area.  The Group aims to provide a voice for the concerns of residents. It also seeks to identify flood risks and their solutions, and to work closely with local, state and federal officials in addressing them.

All residents – flooded or not – are welcome to attend. The issues we seek to address affect the safety and economic vitality of the entire community.

Key goals of the Group include:

  • Installing additional flood gates at Lake Houston to increase release capacity
  • Dredging the West and East Forks of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston
  • Controlling sand mining activities on both forks of the San Jacinto River to reduce sand build up
  • Ensuring any bond proposed by the Harris County Commissioners includes dredging of the West and East forks of the San Jacinto River
  • Changing priorities and procedures of the San Jacinto River Authority to protect residents downstream from Lake Conroe
  • Supporting our elected representatives by maintaining awareness and involvement.

 Join the Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative

To join the group’s distribution list, please email Bill Fowler at txwil43@yahoo.com. Also, please feel free to email questions or comments directly to Bill or through this website.

On a final note, this website will be a repository for information related to the group’s efforts to prevent future flooding. Please bookmark the site and visit it regularly to get the most up-to-date news on flood prevention developments.

Posted April 7, 2018, 221 Days since Hurricane Harvey.

Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium Issues Recommendations for San Jacinto Watershed

WhataBurger in the new HEB shopping center during flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Photo: Courtesy of John Knoerzer.

The Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium issued a region-wide 64-page report on April 5, 2018. It begins with a discussion of the pros and cons of various flood mitigation strategies in general. Then it looks at strategies that apply to each watershed within the region and the equity of funding for each watershed.

The San Jacinto watershed, they say, contains 3% of the region’s population, gets 0% of the budget, and had 14% of the region’s damages.

The Consortium’s discussion of recommendations for the San Jacinto watershed begins on page 48 and continues on page 49. Because the complete report is more than a 130 megabyte download, I quote their recommendations  for us below:

  • In-depth engineering studies and science-based hydrologic and ecological assessments to determine the cost, benefits and risks associated with the following proposed flood mitigation strategies:
    • Making structural alterations to Lake Houston dam and spillway
    • Dredging along the San Jacinto River and in Lake Houston
    • Construction of a Montgomery County reservoir system / fourth reservoir
  • Stricter regulation of sand mining operations, acquisition and complete restoration of land associated with past sand mining operations. Enact stricter state regulations and enforce penalties to shut down illegal mine operations that do not have required permits; strict enforcement of existing rules; require full restoration and/or create an in lieu fee program to finance restoration of closed and abandoned sand mining sites.
  • Stricter development regulations for the watersheds in the San Jacinto River Basin
  • Outreach to stakeholders and communities in the San Jacinto River Basin to increase awareness and facilitate greater transparency in reservoir operation and management and development of flood mitigation strategies.
  • Increased deployment of green infrastructure strategies including conservation easements, land acquisition and LID as population growth and development continues at a rapid pace. Creation of a regional LID guidelines template for use by local and county governments and LID performance criteria needed.
  • Create a San Jacinto River Community Advisory Council that meets regularly with public operators and functions similarly to community advisory councils in Houston Ship Channel industrial communities.
  • Stricter floodplain development regulations extending beyond the 500-year floodplain based on Atlas14 rainfall estimates

The entire report is a good read. It’s well designed and filled with helpful illustrations. People seriously interested in flood mitigation should download and read the whole survey. It’s extremely thoughtful and balanced.

Here is the Houston Chronicle’s take on the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium’s report.

Posted April 6, 2018, 219 Days After Hurricane Harvey.