Tag Archive for: Beryl debris

HCFCD Finishes Removing Beryl Debris from Bens Branch

3/3/25 – A Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) spokesperson reports that the District finished picking up Hurricane Beryl debris at numerous locations along Bens Branch in Kingwood on February 27, 2025.

Hurricane Beryl struck the Houston area on July 8, 2024, with winds gusting up to 83 MPH at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Sustained winds exceeded tropical storm strength for approximately six hours in the Lake Houston Area. Wet grounds over a large part of the area from well above average spring and early summer rainfall led to widespread downing of trees.

The storm damage came on top of a derecho earlier in the year that created chaos.

HCFCD claims the piles were not theirs but couldn’t say who they belonged to. However, local leaders who monitored cleanup efforts disagreed.

But Eric Heppen, Harris County Precinct 3’s Director of Engineering, said, “We’re past that now. We’re just going to pick up the piles.” Thank you, Commissioner Ramsey. And thank you, HCFCD.

Some piles, such as those along Bens Branch opposite Bear Branch Elementary on Tree Lane, became highly visible eyesores. They also became temptations for young boys eager to show off their mountain-climbing skills.

HCFCD picking up Beryl Debris from Bens Branch along Tree Lane
Beginning of Tree Lane pickup of Beryl Debris on Tuesday, February 25, 2025

The pictures below show what remained of the Tree Lane piles today.

Nothing. Piles gone!

Thanks to Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey for breaking the logjam (pun intended) over who was responsible for the Beryl debris and arranging for the pickup.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/3/25

2743 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 238 since Beryl

Clearing of Beryl Debris from Creeks and Channels Continues

9/14/24 – Clearing of Beryl debris from Harris County creeks and channels by HCFCD/FEMA contractors continues more than two months after the storm that struck Houston on July 8, 2024.

Prolonged 65-80 MPH winds raked the Lake Houston Area for hours, downing thousands of trees.

Who’s Responsible for What

The cleanup effort has advanced on two fronts: streets and channels. The City of Houston and Harris County precincts (in unincorporated areas) manage street cleanup. Harris County Flood Control District manages the creeks and channels.

I previously reported about the City’s efforts and its debris-tracker website. I also published a story about how to report problems discovered in streams and ditches.

But I really haven’t shown the latter crews in action.

HCFCD/FEMA Crew Clearing Backland Gully

Chris Bloch, a local flood activist, rode along with some Harris County Flood Control Distict/FEMA contractors and grabbed these photos of the equipment they are using. Bloch took the pictures below on Backland Gully in Kings Point.


A marsh buggy, also known as an amphibious excavator, grabs onto tree blocking the channel and…
…drags it out of creek.

The contractor is clearing trees from numerous channels in the Kingwood Area. His company is also working Bens Branch, Bear Branch, the lowest reach of Taylor Gully, White Oak Creek, Green Tree Ditch, Mills Branch, Caney Creek and more.

The contractor estimated his company has removed 2,000 tons of debris so far, but the number changes hourly.

Immensity of Job

Last week, they finished the area upstream of the Tree Lane Bridge on Bear Branch. But the equipment they used there is too small to handle the size and volume of trees that fell downstream from the bridge given the depth of the channel.

They have their work cut out for them.

See examples below. I took all six photos on 9/13/24 within a quarter mile stretch of Bens Branch downstream from Tree Lane.

Such blockages can catch other debris being swept downstream in storms and back water up, flooding homes.

HCFCD maintains 2500 miles of ditches, bayous and streams. If a quarter mile segment of one looks this bad, one can only imagine how long it will take to finish the job.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/14/24

2573 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 68 since Beryl