Tag Archive for: debris piles

Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Debris Piles are Ba-aack

May 10, 2024 – The floodwaters have finally receded. The sun has come out. And the debris piles are ba-aack. People who flooded during the storms last week are taking advantage of the break in weather to muck out their homes, toss wallboard, and cart waterlogged furniture to the curb.

Nowhere in Kingwood was the flooding worse than on Dunnam Road where Taylor Gully, Caney Creek, White Oak Creek, Peach Creek and the East Fork San Jacinto all come together. At least six homes and a business flooded. And badly.

Today, I visited the area again to survey the damage and talk to the survivors. For the people who live there, it was like the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Photos Taken 5/10/24 on Dunnam Road

This isn’t the first time that Dunnam Road flooded. And it won’t be the last. Part of it is low and close to the river.

The flooding seemed especially poignant this time, however, because the heaviest rains fell more than 60 miles away and worked their way downstream over a period of several days.

The floodwater even peaked briefly and started to recede. This may have given many people false hope that they wouldn’t flood, despite the Harris County meteorologist’s warnings to evacuate.

West side of Dunnam is filled with debris piles.
East side is also filled with debris piles. Note how force of water pushed fence in.
Looking uphill toward higher ground.
I think they’ll be needing more buckets and scrub brushes.
This lady and her husband just moved here from El Paso by way of Tucson and LA. They wanted a place that wasn’t so dry and found Houston. She’s 5’6″ tall. So you can see how deeply their home flooded.
Carrying all your belongings to the curb.
Flooded closets and driers left people with only one option. The backyard fence.
Previously flooded vacant home.
This is a very patriotic community and many homes will need new flags.
Oblivious to the tragedy and just happy to be in Grandma’s arms as she surveys neighbors’ damage.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/10/24

2446 Days since Hurricane Harvey