FEMA Archives - Page 2 of 9

U.S. Disaster Assistance History Shows Constant Change

6/13/25 – We had a decentralized system of disaster assistance for almost 200 years before FEMA.

But more than 60% of the U.S. population has never known life without FEMA. So my post about President Trump’s intention to dismantle the agency caused considerable fear and anxiety. This post may help reassure those people. While change is always difficult, it’s possible. We had a decentralized system before. And we are still here.

More than 100 Programs Before Consolidation under FEMA

Before President Carter formed FEMA in 1979, disaster relief was a collection of scattered, fragmented federal, state, and local relief efforts. More than 100 programs existed on the federal level alone across HUD, USDA, DOE and other departments. The situation was chaotic and duplicative.

However, a recent announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump indicated that FEMA will be disbanded after this hurricane season. Its responsibilities for disaster response will return to the states, according to Trump.

It appears we are coming full circle. How did we get here? Below is a brief history of disaster relief efforts in the U.S. dating back to 1802.

Early Federal Involvement (1802-1930s)

The first legislative act of federal disaster relief in U.S. history followed a devastating fire in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in December 1802. The destruction of large areas of the city’s seaport threatened commerce in the newly founded United States. In 1803, the U.S. Congress provided relief to affected Portsmouth merchants by suspending bond payments for several months.

In 1900, the first federal government disaster mitigation effort was in Galveston. The government assisted local and state groups with building the seawall.

Up through the 1930s, federal support was ad hoc. Congress passed more than 128 one-off disaster relief bills—each tailored to a specific event. There was no overarching federal policy.

During the New Deal era in the 1930s, agencies such the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1932) and the Bureau of Public Roads (1934) began offering loans and disaster-related rebuilding funds for public infrastructure. (But the 1953 RFC Liquidation Act terminated its lending powers in an effort to fulfill President Dwight Eisenhower’s vision of limiting government’s involvement in the economy.)

From Civil Defense to Disaster Relief (1940-1960s)

On September 30, 1950, Congress passed the Federal Disaster Relief Act. It let the federal government assist states during disasters, by empowering the President to declare a “major disaster” and provide limited federal assistance. The President retained this function in various incarnations until 1973. But, overall, federal efforts still remained highly fragmented.

On December 1, 1950, President Harry Truman created the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA). It focused on nuclear threats, civil defense and disaster relief. Then in 1958, the FCDA merged into the Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization.

In the 1960s, several major disasters drove change. Events like the Great Alaska Earthquake (1964) and Hurricanes Betsy (1965) and Camille (1969) spurred federal involvement.

The Flood Control Act of 1965 gave the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers greater authority to implement flood control projects.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 created the NFIP to address flood risk via insurance.

Toward Coordination (1970s)

As stated above, by the early 1970s more than 100 programs addressed disaster response across numerous federal agencies.

In 1974, President Nixon signed the Disaster Relief Act. It standardized presidential disaster declarations and improved federal assistance.

During the Carter administration, momentum grew to consolidate scattered federal disaster and civil defense functions under one roof. An executive order formed FEMA on April 1, 1979.

Early FEMA Years (1979 – 1988)

FEMA quickly began coordinating disaster and civil defense efforts, managing the national flood insurance rollover, and responding to events like Love Canal and Three Mile Island.

The Robert T. Stafford Act in 1988 set the foundation for FEMA-led responses following federal declarations. It also encouraged state and local disaster planning.

Expansion and Reform (1990s – 2000)

The next two decades saw both expansion and reform for FEMA. The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989 led to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This act specified federal response roles for oil-related disasters.

The Federal Response Plan in 1992 created an interagency framework for coordinated disaster response under the Stafford Act.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact in 1996 enabled interstate mutual aid during disasters. It facilitated resource sharing when federal help wasn’t triggered.

In 2000, the Disaster Mitigation Act further amended the Stafford Act to emphasize preparedness and planning, including pre-disaster grants.

Post-9/11 and Modernization (2001–present)

After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, FEMA played a key role in emergency coordination, accelerating policy development. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 placed FEMA under DHS (effective 2003), integrating it into broader national security efforts .

The widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, led to the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. It reestablished FEMA as a distinct agency within DHS, defined FEMA’s primary mission, and designated the FEMA Administrator as the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States.

In 2008, a National Response Plan aligned response partners from government, NGOs, and the private sector.

Then in 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act updated the Stafford Act again to bolster pre-disaster mitigation funding and resilience-building measures.

Key Takeaways

Emergency assistance is constantly evolving in the U.S.

Fragmented federal assistance endured until the 1970s
Relief efforts were hampered by dozens of distinct agencies and programs—resolved only when FEMA centralized federal coordination.
Shift from response to resilience
Over time, legislation and policy have increasingly emphasized preparedness and mitigation, not just post-disaster relief.
Partnership model
Disaster response in the U.S. is a layered system where local → state → federal coordination is essential, supported by mutual aid compacts and NGOs.

Important to Texas

In reorganizing disaster assistance yet again, I hope that we can retain its best aspects. Disaster assistance is too important to just disappear. The chart below makes that clear. It shows the total amounts of assistance FEMA has offered Texas and other disaster-prone states/territories since its inception.

State/Territory	Public Assistance ($B)	Individual Assistance ($B)	Total Assistance ($B)
Puerto Rico	40.1	6.7	46.8
Louisiana	22.8	3.2	26
New York	18.1	2.9	21
US Virgin Islands	17.3	2.6	19.9
Florida	14.7	2.5	17.2
California	12.5	1.9	14.4
Texas	11.8	2.3	14.1

Source: OpenFEMA Dataset

Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/13/2025

2845 Days since Hurricane Harvey

On Eve of Hurricane Season, NOAA, NWS, NHC, FEMA Struggle with Cuts

5/31/25 – The 2025 Hurricane Season starts tomorrow, 6/1/25. But ironically, despite predictions of an above-average season, the federal agencies that help forecast hurricanes, issue warnings, and provide disaster relief are struggling with significant funding, staff and program cuts.

Poignant Letter in New York Times

Michael Lowry, who served as a senior scientist at the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a planning chief at FEMA, and a hurricane expert at the Weather Channel, wrote a poignant letter published in the New York Times today under the headline “A Hurricane Season Like No Other.”

The letter began with an anecdote about data collection from inside Hurricane Milton last year by a Hurricane Hunter crew. The data they collected about “vortex alignment” heralded rapid intensification of the storm. Within 24 hours, it had become the strongest hurricane in 20 years with 180 MPH winds.

Milton satellite — *Milton as it began intensifying and heading toward the Florida Coast*

But there was no surprise on the Florida coast. The forecasts gave “enough time for people in the highest-risk areas to safely evacuate and businesses to prepare for the worst.”

Lowry then segues to budget, staff and program cuts at FEMA, NOAA, NHC, the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane Hunters, and more. Some examples:

NWS offices that have lost 60 percent of their staff members, including entire management teams.
Nearly half of NWS local forecast offices are understaffed, with vacancy rates of 20 percent or higher.
Weather balloon launches are down 15 to 20 percent nationwide. The balloons increase forecast confidence and let evacuation orders be made sooner.
New budget documents released Friday propose eliminating NOAA’s research wing, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, which lends mission-critical support to the hurricane hunters.

Along the way, Lowry points out that “The National Weather Service costs the average American $4 per year in today’s inflated dollars — about the same as a gallon of milk — and offers an 8,000 percent annual return on investment, according to 2024 estimates.”

“Without the arsenal of tools from NOAA and its 6.3 billion observations sourced each day, the routinely detected hurricanes of today could become the deadly surprise hurricanes of tomorrow,” he says.

Bottom line: Lowry says we’re jeopardizing decades of progress that have increased forecast accuracy and warning times. And that will put more people at risk.

Dizzying Days for FEMA: Cuts and More Cuts

Andrew Rumbach, a Senior Fellow with the Urban Land Institute writes about policies for disaster risk reduction. He wrote a Substack post in early May called “100 Dizzying Days for FEMA.” It details the dismantling of disaster-relief and flood-mitigation capabilities including:

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stating that “we’re going to eliminate FEMA.”
Disbanding key advisory councils that guide FEMA’s work, despite them being established in law. They include the National Advisory Council, the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, and the National Dam Safety Review Board.
A large number of FEMA staff were fired, laid off, or opted for early retirement.
A memorandum to the Office of Management and Budget, describes significant changes to how FEMA would determine whether to issue a Presidential Disaster Declarations. It quadruples the key threshold for making public assistance dollars available. The changes would effectively reduce the number of disaster declarations by over 70%.
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program ended. It was the largest source of pre-disaster mitigation funding.
A Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program for 2025-2026, another major source of funding, was removed.
The administration quietly stopped approving new allocations of funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
FEMA has withdrawn its participation in the International Code Council (ICC) update process. It provided resources and expertise to help develop building codes that would better protect against floods.
An executive order titled “Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness” describes a policy that “State and local governments and individuals play a more active and significant role in national resilience and preparedness.”

Could States Do What FEMA Does?

An article in the June 9 issue of Time Magazine addresses whether states could do what FEMA does. The consensus: it makes more sense to manage disaster response at the federal level. Why? It’s more efficient. If you spread disaster responsibilities among 50 states, you will have a lot of people sitting around a long time between disasters. FEMA can shift people from state to state, disaster to disaster, and keep them busier.

Experts cite the need for reform. But getting rid of the system without a meaningful replacement is likely to cause harm.

My takeaway from the article: Surgeons experience better outcomes with scalpels than cannons.

Erosion of Safety Margins

We live in a time of uncertainty. I’m not sure which is scarier: major hurricanes, a reduction in forecasting capabilities, or the loss of disaster-relief and flood-mitigation assistance.

These cuts will erode safety margins. Sixty million Americans reportedly live in areas regularly impacted by hurricanes.

If you haven’t already completed preparations for hurricane season, check out this NWS page on Hurricane Safety Tips and Preparations. Before someone takes it down to save a buck.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/31/25

2832 Days since Hurricane Harvey

What Happens When Flood Maps Don’t Illustrate True Risk

3/25/25 – Almost eight years after Hurricane Harvey and a massive region-wide effort to update flood maps, FEMA still features maps on its website based on decades-old data that don’t come close to showing true flood risk. The old maps cause confusion among homebuyers who may not understand their limitations. And that helps developers pursue and profit from risky ventures in floodplains.

Three-Year Delay for New Maps and Still Counting

FEMA has yet to release maps based on recent Atlas-14 data developed after Hurricane Harvey. Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) anticipated release of FEMA’s new preliminary maps three years ago and release of the final maps by now. See the timeline below published in 2020.

*Source: Screen Capture from Harris County Flood Control District* *MAAPnext site in 2020.*

I requested the release date for the new maps from Harris County and Federal officials. However, they did not respond.

Delays Contribute to Confusion about Safety of New Developments

The delays have contributed to confusion about the safety of new developments near or in floodplains.

Take, for instance, the lawsuit between the City of Houston and one of the area’s largest developers. According to a Texas Supreme Court decision released last Friday, the Signorelli Companies want to develop more than 500 lots near the San Jacinto East Fork as part of The Commons of Lake Houston.

Plats show most of the lots outside the current 100-year floodplain. But floodplains will reportedly expand by 50-100% when the new flood maps come out. At that point, most if not all the lots will likely be deep in the floodplain.

So, the City imposed higher elevation requirements for homes in anticipation of the new flood maps. That triggered a property-rights lawsuit by the developer, which claimed the City’s requirements made the property “undevelopable.”

Sometimes We Just Never Learn

Sometimes, it feels as if we just never learn. I understand a company’s desire to make money from its land. But unsuspecting homebuyers could lose their life savings. Worse, more people could die.

Flood insurance is becoming unaffordable for many. Insurance companies are fleeing high-risk areas.

And we haven’t even mentioned yet the costs of flood mitigation, disaster relief, buyouts, and restoration of the natural ecosystems – that already protect people for free.

In my opinion, for the public good, some land just shouldn’t be built on.

The Commons of Lake Houston Proposal

The flood map for the Commons area on the East Fork was last updated in 2007. It is based on data acquired after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. New Atlas 14 rainfall data is 30-40% higher than previous estimates and represents the current best efforts of scientists.

The map below shows the extent of those 100- and 500-year floodplains in 2007 maps as dotted lines superimposed over a proposed new section of the Commons called the Crossing.

*Close up of plat. *Floodway is to left of heavy dotted line. 1*00-year and 500-year floodplains are shown as lighter dotted lines farther right.*

Two Pictures Worth 2,000 Woods

These two pictures, sent to me by a nearby resident of an existing home on higher ground in the Commons, illustrate the problem.

*First image shows extent of the Harvey flood. Second shows Signorelli’s proposed development. High water mark during Harvey identified as Position 1.*

Think such a flood can’t happen again in your lifetime? That Harvey was a thousand-year storm?

It almost happened again in May 2024 during a no-name storm a month before the start of hurricane season. The screen capture below shows historical HCFCD data from a gage just upstream from the Commons. Note the last three entries.

*Historical flood heights from Harris County Flood Warning System Gage at East Fork and SH99.*

That no-name storm produced flooding almost five feet higher than Imelda and only about four feet lower than Harvey. It was the second highest flood at that location since HCFCD started keeping records!

Will We Repeat Mistakes of the Past?

The thing about floodplains is that they keep growing with upstream development – especially as other developers push into wetlands near rivers and streams. And the area upstream from the Commons is growing very quickly.

At some point (like now), it may make more sense to donate this land to an organization such as the Bayou Land Conservancy, Houston Parks, or Texas Parks and Wildlife. That would offer the developer some tax benefits. That could also help protect the public, protect lenders, help hold down insurance rates, provide recreation, and reduce future mitigation costs. It would even likely add value to homes on higher ground.

Posted by Bob Rehak based on 3/25/25

2765 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.

Still Have Storm Debris?

8/22/24 – If you still have storm debris from Hurricane Beryl, what you do by when depends on where you live and what you need picked up. Procedures and deadlines differ for:

Harris County Precinct 3 Unincorporated Areas
City of Houston
Montgomery County

This post describes what people in those areas need to do to ensure their debris gets removed. Read thoroughly and act swiftly. Some deadlines are only days away.

*Beryl debris*. *Scenes like this were reported throughout the Houston Area* *and not all have been removed.*

The City of Humble has completed its cleanup effort and so is not included in this post.

Harris County Precinct 3 Unincorporated Areas

The final deadline for reporting storm debris is Monday, September 2. If you still have storm debris in your yard, please be sure to place it at the curb and report it for final pickup. You can do so online or by phone.

To report online:

Visit pct3.com/service-request
Select “Road & Bridge Maintenance” in the service menu
Type “Hurricane Beryl Debris” in the comments section

To report by phone:

Call 713-274-3100 during business hours, Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 4:30 PM.

Instructions:

Please remember to separate your debris for efficient pickup! Visit www.pct3.com or see below for separation guidelines.

*From Harris County Precinct 3 Newsletter* *on 8/22/24.*

City of Houston

The City’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) collected more than 2.1 million cubic yards of Beryl-related storm debris by August 15. The Department expects to conclude the first pass of storm collections by Saturday, August 31.

In preparation for the next phase of debris collections, SWMD requests residents to place all remaining storm debris at the curbside no later than Sunday, August 25. The department will begin the second pass in earnest on Monday, September 2.

“Residents do not need to report their storm debris to 3-1-1.”
Houston Solid Waste Management Department

“Storm debris contractors will drive down every street and collect storm debris piles in all public rights of way,” explained this Solid Waste webpage.

SWMD urges residents to:

Separate storm debris from bulk waste, and demolition and construction debris at the curbside. Contaminated debris piles might delay collection until the next bulk waste month.
Ensure that tree trunks are 3 feet or less in diameter and 3 feet or less in length and tree branches are 6 feet or less in length.
Place debris piles within 10 feet onto private property lines as crews cannot encroach beyond that limit.

Beryl struck before the Derecho cleanup finished. Beryl alone created an estimated 4 million cubic yards of storm debris – enough to fill NRG Stadium. So please be patient.

Montgomery County

To have Beryl storm debris picked up, Montgomery County residents must register by August 30. Click this link to begin registration.

If you are still waiting on the first or second passes, make sure you RE-REGISTER and upload a debris photo.

Property owners must fill out a debris removal survey to ensure your vegetative debris will be picked up— tree branches, trees stumps, tree trunks, and branches.
Place vegetative debris as close to road/curb as possible. But do not block ditches or the roadway.

Montgomery County is only picking up vegetative debris. The county is not removing appliances, demolition debris or construction waste.

DO:

Ensure debris is easily accessible
Place it away from obstacles like trees, poles, fire hydrants, meters, mailboxes, or any other structure that could hinder removal
Place it in a county or city right of way.

DON’T:

Block roadways or ditches. Avoid blocking water flow.
Include non-storm-related debris: Only storm-related vegetative debris will be collected.
Use trash bags for tree debris.
Place debris on private property: Collection is limited to the County/City right-of-way.
Place debris in gated communities: Collection does not occur in gated communities.
Obstruct traffic: Avoid placing debris in a way that could pose hazards for drivers.

Make sure you follow FEMA debris removal guidelines.

Residents who live on cul-de-sacs or dead end streets require special equipment to maneuver in tighter areas. That may take longer, so please have patience.

Montgomery County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) is handling the Beryl response. The information provided when you register will enhance their ability to allocate resources appropriately and expedite the debris removal process.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/22/2024

2550 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 45 since Beryl

HCFCD Contractors Begin Clearing Trees Blocking Streams, Channels

8/17/24 – The clearing of trees blocking streams and channels in the Lake Houston Area has begun. The clearing began after a coordinated inventorying and reporting effort.

According to Chris Bloch, a member of the Bear Branch Trail Association Board, FEMA contractors working for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), were seen this morning clearing trees blocking Bens Branch. The stream cuts diagonally through the middle of Kingwood.

If left in the stream, the trees can catch other debris floating downstream and create log dams that back floodwater up into streets and homes. So, contractors are cutting the fallen trees into sections and removing them.

This morning, I found them hauling the logs and underbrush out of the woods with a Bobcat fitted with grappling jaws. They stacked the debris near Woodland Hills Drive to be hauled away.

However, in coming days, contractors will be using much larger equipment and actually going down into the channel to remove logs and haul them off.

According to Bloch, just cutting the logs into small sections and letting them float away in the next flood is not the answer. They could still harm unsuspecting boaters and waterskiers in Lake Houston.

Beware of Heavy Equipment with Limited Visibility

It’s unclear at this time how long the clearing operation will take. But Bloch estimates that it could easily take a week or more to get all the way down Bens Branch.

Other contractors may be working on other channels simultaneously. However, I have been unable to verify that at this time.

*Photograph taken 8/17/24 near St. Martha School at Bens Branch and Woodland Hills Drive.*

Residents should exercise caution when using greenbelt trails during the removal operation. Operators maneuvering in tight spaces have limited visibility when transporting logs and brush. They will use greenbelt trails in some places and CenterPoint easements in others.

Residents who use the trails to get to school or for recreation should consider wearing brightly colored shirts or reflective vests to increase their visibility.

Members of the Bear Branch Trail Association Board met with the contractor last night to show them where obstructions are in Bens Branch and other channels.

*Note the size of some of those logs. The pile is 6-8 feet tall.*

Inventorying the blockages was difficult. Now comes the really hard part.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/17/24

2545 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 40 since Beryl

FEMA Disaster Assistance Available

5/20/24 – A disaster declaration by Governor Abbott that covers May flood and windstorm damage has been partially approved by President Biden. That means FEMA disaster Assistance is now available for people who suffered damage in the Lake Houston Area plus Harris, Montgomery, Liberty and four more counties.

This post explains eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

After inspection, people can be eligible for a number of benefits, including:

$750 in serious needs assistance
Displacement assistance for temporary housing
Home Repair Assistance

*Home damage from East Fork in May 2024* *flooding*

In addition, money may become available to governmental entities for mitigation assistance. Harris County will hold a special session of Commissioners Court tomorrow, in part, to discuss contracts for disaster response, debris removal and more.

Text of FEMA Press Release

AUSTIN – Texans who sustained damage from the recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began April 26 may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Currently, residents living in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties may be eligible for disaster assistance.

FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Texans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.

New Benefits for Immediate Funds

Serious Needs Assistance, a $750 payment for households for essential items will now be provided in all disasters receiving Individual Assistance to help people make ends meet.
Displacement Assistance, a new benefit that will provide people with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, to keep people housed.

Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are both funded after a completed inspection confirms eligibility.

Apply to FEMA

Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

Additional Assistance and Benefits

Streamlined Application Requirements so people can apply to SBA and FEMA at the same time.
- Support for Underinsured People for the first time to help them cover aspects of home repair that insurance companies won’t pay for, but they can’t afford on their own, up to the full $42,500.
Simplified Assistance for Entrepreneurs by providing self-employed people with some initial financial support to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment to help them land on their feet.
- Ex.: computers if you are a gig worker, lawnmower if you are a landscaper
Expanded Habitability Criteria to help people make their homes safer and cleaner post-disaster and so they can repair all aspects of their home post-disaster.
- Previously, if a home had a leaky roof pre-disaster, that area of the home wouldn’t qualify.
Made Accessibility Improvements to help people with disabilities improve their living conditions by making their homes even more accessible than they were pre-disaster.
Streamlined Temporary Housing Assistance Applications by reducing documentation requirements for applicants who need to extend their stay in FEMA-supported temporary housing.
Simplified the Process for Appeals so people who wish to appeal FEMA’s decisions will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.
Computer Assistance for people who need to repair or replace disaster-damaged computers.

Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing

If you currently reside in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.

Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:

Home Repair Assistance may be provided to homeowners to repair the structural parts of your home. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems) and entrance ways. FEMA may also reimburse for the actual cost to repair or replace your furnace, private well and septic system that was damaged or destroyed by the disaster.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

Here is a PDF of FEMA’s press release that you can print and give to friends, neighbors and family members who may not have power.

Status of Other Counties Affected by Storms

The Governor’s press release states that presidential approval of the disaster request for other counties remains under review. Many counties are still collecting damage estimates.

Types of Eligible Expenses

Abbott’s press release also states that qualifying Texans who sustained damage may apply for FEMA Individual Assistance Program funding to assist with expenses, such as “temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.”

Hazard Mitigation Component

President Biden’s approval also authorizes additional FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resources to be made available. It’s not clear yet where that money would go or how it would be spent.

Harris County Commissioner’s Court will hold a special meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. On the Agenda, Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge has requested a discussion and possible action related to the disaster.

The discussion will include contracts for disaster response, debris removal, and recovery.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/20/24

2456 Days since Hurricane Harvey and two weeks since the last disaster

Flooded 3 Times in 7 Years in 500-Year Floodplain, But No Buyout

Daniel and Kathleen Moore live with their 8-month old baby near the East Fork San Jacinto in Montgomery County. The young couple desperately wants a buyout after their house on Idle Glen in New Caney flooded three times in seven years. But no buyout is in sight.

When they bought the home, they were told it was in the 500-year floodplain. In fact, Montgomery County flood maps still show their home is in the 500-year (.2% annual chance) floodplain.

However, that determination is based on floodplain data from the 1980’s – before the Moores were even born. And since then, the area upstream from them has boomed with new development.

New Upstream Development Invalidates Old Data

For instance, Colony Ridge, just 2.5 miles to the northeast on the other side of the river, has grown 50% larger than Manhattan since 2010 – with virtually no flood mitigation measures on the East Fork side of the area.

In one seven year stretch (2017 to 2024), the Moores flooded three times. During Harvey, they flooded to nine feet. In Imelda, they got one foot. And in the no-name storm of May 2024, five feet of floodwater destroyed everything in the bottom floor of their home.

Said Daniel, “I figured Harvey was extreme. I didn’t worry too much about that. But the next two storms were different. We just can’t afford to rebuild every two or three years.” Daniel works as a mechanic. “The pay isn’t that great,” he says. “We need to move.”

Rebuilding Without Flood Insurance

After the first two floods, they rebuilt the home with money from their own pockets – without benefit of insurance. But with a new baby, they can no longer afford that.

The Moores’ story underscores how inexperience can hamstring young couples on technical issues, such as floodplain delineation and flood insurance.

The moral of this story: before you invest in a new home, consult with a professional hydrologist about the risk. Talk to neighbors about past flooding. Look for tell-tale signs like mold on neighbors’ homes, rotting wood, and elevated structures.

And buy flood insurance. It’s available through FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program. Not all agents feel the commission justifies the trouble of handling it, especially if the home has a history of flooding, so you may get mixed signals from them. Shop around.

Moore Photos During and After May 2024 Flood

Daniel tried to return home after spending the first night with his family in a motel. He couldn’t get onto the feeder road from SH99. This picture shows FM1485 totally flooded.

*Raging waters reached the top of the street sign and nearly touched the power wires.*

*Floodwater jumbled the living room furniture.*

Cleanup after the Flood

I took the following shots on 5/18/24. As Daniel worked to gut his uninhabitable home once again, his wife tended the baby at her mother’s home.

*Living room of Daniel and Kathleen Moore destroyed by flooding in May 2024*

*Daniel points to height of flood waters. For reference, he is 6’5″ tall.*

*Possessions carted to curb and picked over by scavengers.*

Scavengers feel, “What difference does it make? They’re throwing this out anyway.” But it makes flood victims feel victimized all over again. Daniel says he’s found people picking through his belongings every day since the flood.

*Floodwater reached the top of Kathleen’s Tahoe. It floated during the flood and turned 90 degrees. No one knows where the phone pole came from.*

*Daniel, tired, bewildered, and still a bit dazed.*

But the Moores’ trials and tribulations are not over.

Buyout Chances

The Moores have had a hard time connecting with anyone in Montgomery County who will offer them a buyout.

Ironically, the fact that they are in a 500-year floodplain that hasn’t been updated in 40 years could hurt their buyout chances. FEMA scoring generally favors those with higher risk.

FEMA also favors homeowners with flood insurance. That’s because buying out the homeowners would likely save FEMA money on insurance reimbursements after multiple floods.

But that’s not all.

River Rising Again

Before leaving the Moores’ home, I put my drone up and saw this.

*East Fork rising again. Out of banks and flooding FM1485 (right) near 1 PM on May 18, 2024. Looking E.* *Note river on middle right already had risen over one road in the neighborhood.* *Daniel says FM1485 is totally under water now.*

As of 6 PM, the National Weather service shows the river is still rising. They predict it will crest tonight just under major flood stage near 69 feet.

*NWS prediction as of 5:52 PM on 5/28/24 for gage within blocks of Moore home.*

That should bring the water close to the Moores’ front door again.

As I drove around his neighborhood, I marveled at the number of abandoned and flooded homes. One can only wonder whether this neighborhood will survive.

Please pray for the safety of all who live there.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/18/24

2454 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 2 Weeks since the No-Name Flood of 2024

City Mobilizing for More West Fork Dredging

Mobilization for the next phase of San Jacinto West Fork dredging is underway. The City of Houston and its contractor DRC (a subsidiary of Callan Marine) are already staging equipment in two places on the West Fork.

The program, funded by FEMA, will remove an estimated 800,000 cubic yards of silt and sediment between the original location of the West Fork Mouth Bar and FM1960. The contractor will use primarily hydraulic dredging and the program will take approximately two years, according to District E City Council Member Fred Flickinger.

West Fork Dredging Project Dates Back to Dave Martin Era

Flickinger credits his predecessor, former Council Member Dave Martin, and Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello’s tireless efforts in protesting the initial amount proposed for dredging by FEMA back in 2019. FEMA’s initial proposal, based on a four-page, table-top study produced by the Army Corps, called for dredging 283,000 cubic yards.

Martin strongly disagreed with the Corps’ report and appealed it while the City produced its own 94-page technical report. It showed a much higher volume deposited by Harvey. Remember: Harvey funds could not be used to address sediment deposited before Harvey. The City report produced by Tetra Tech relied extensively on core samples. Tetra Tech proved that Harvey laid down the sand in the mouth bar and that the dredging volume should be closer to a million cubic yards.

In August 2020, FEMA and the Corps finally concurred with the City, after extensive discussions and a massive assist from U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw. Crenshaw and others had been pushing FEMA for years for the additional dredging.

Current Status

The new West Fork dredging program should be ready to go within weeks. DRC is currently bringing in the equipment that they will need.

DRC plans to use primarily hydraulic dredging. They will attack the area between where the mouth bar was (south of Scenic Shores in Kings Point) and the FM1960 Bridge. See map below.

*Map from City study showing area of focus.*

*Hydraulic dredge being assembled at old Army Corps mobilization site south of Forest Cove pool. Photo taken 4/1/24.*

*DRC is also starting to stockpile mechanical dredging equipment such as these pontoons on Berry Madden’s property south of River Grove Park (top center).*

This is good news. The new West Fork dredging will help ensure that water doesn’t back up like it did before. It’s not a guarantee against flooding. Dredging is only one part of a multi-faceted mitigation program that also includes more upstream detention and new floodgates on the Lake Houston dam. More news on those topics to follow.

Posted by Bob Rehak

2407 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Flood-Mapping Changes Recommended to FEMA

On October 30, 2023, the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) recommended that FEMA implement six flood mapping changes. The objectives:

Reduce the number of uninsured losses
Reduce future flood losses compared to maintaining the status quo
Improve transparency around the potential impacts of climate change and proposed development

SFHA and FPA Definition Recommendations

FEMA currently defines a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as land “subject to a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.” The SFHA may contain several different zones that show different degrees of risk. Historically, FEMA has equated the SFHA with “floodplain” or “flood-prone area” (FPA).

TMAC recommends redefining these terms to give them different meanings. TMAC also recommends using a higher standard of accuracy (95% confidence level as opposed to 50%), but more on that later.

If FEMA adopts the recommendations, the term “Special Flood Hazard Area” would apply to areas that currently require flood insurance for mortgages made by federally regulated lending institutions.

The term Flood-Prone Area, on the other hand, they argue, should be reserved to reflect future risks from climate change and development. See below.

Why separate the two? Lenders would face resistance to enforcement of the insurance-purchase mandate if it meant requiring flood insurance on homes or businesses not yet in the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain.

But having a separate, second definition that reflects future risk could help floodplain managers lower the probability of future flooding for homes under construction by applying to building codes, elevation requirements, and more. It could also give home buyers additional information on which to base their decisions.

Recommendation for Higher Confidence Limits

Because of a perceived rise in flood occurrences on properties lying outside the SFHA, the lending community has become more suspicious of the standard’s accuracy. People see the SFHA’s flood insurance requirement as a binary choice. “I need it or I don’t.”

But the current definition is based on the AVERAGE chance of flooding. That means 50% of properties would have a higher risk than indicated and the rest would have a lower chance.

After a flood, surprised borrowers sometimes blame their mortgage companies. “How come you didn’t tell me I was at risk?” Many buyers conclude they are safe based on a misunderstanding of technical details related to the 1% annual-chance standard.

The new standard proposes a 95% confidence interval as opposed to an average risk. That would include homes expected to flood in all but 5% of floods. A confidence interval in statistics is another way to describe probabilities.

TMAC argues that an easily understood and interpreted standard would balance safe land use with economic benefit. It would also protect lenders, educate buyers, and encourage borrowers to act responsibly.

Redefining Flood-Prone Areas

The illustration below depicts TMAC’s concept for developing the FPA elevation and associated boundary. It includes an extra safety margin for climate change and future development.

This “freeboard factor” would be a proxy for estimated future conditions.

However, TMAC recognizes there may not be:

• Adequate land-use information to determine the impact of future development or
• Planned development expected to change flood conditions or
• Sufficient information to determine the impacts of climate change.

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Recommendations

For consistency and ease of communication/education, TMAC recommends applying the 95% confidence limit to .02% annual chance floods also. These were previously known as 500-year floods.

Fill Recommendations

Bringing fill dirt into a floodplain to elevate homes reduces the amount of storage capacity for floodwaters. Fill can also often increase hazards to nearby property owners and have negative environmental impacts.

Currently, a maze of regulations governs the use of fill. TMAC recommends consolidating and clarifying all fill requirements in flood-prone areas.

Among the recommendations: Prohibiting fill as a floodproofing technique.

Notice of Fill Impacts

TMAC recommends that FEMA should require participating communities, as part of permitting duties, to quantify and put on file the impacts of proposed fill and other development on flood height and the environment prior to issuing fill permits.

When increases in flood elevation or potential negative environmental consequences are found and cannot be mitigated, at a minimum, property owners and appropriate environmental agencies should be notified prior to issuing permits.

Many such requirements already exist for floodways. This recommendation would expand the requirement to floodplains.

The TMAC report observes that large amounts of fill placed in the flood fringe can potentially create significant impacts upstream, downstream or both. But there are no impact notification requirements in many communities and states.

“This is in effect a risk transfer to uninformed landowners and environmental stewardship organizations,” says the report.

“While a requirement to notify falls short of a requirement of consent, it is an improvement over today’s framing where risks are allowed to be transferred to others without their awareness.”
TMAC

Status of Adoption Unclear at this Point

Due to the holidays, I’ve had trouble determining where FEMA stands in adopting these recommendations. TMAC clearly labels these “interim recommendations.”

Congress plans to take up the subject of flood insurance in January or February. So we may get some clarity then. Check back often.

The problem with proposed changes to regulations is that they create winners and losers. People with risky land to sell may not want fuller disclosure. On the other hand, those in danger of flooding may want more information.

The states seem divided on flood-insurance reform. Some want to continue encouraging floodplain development by keeping NFIP premiums low. Others want to avoid burdening taxpayers with NFIP bailouts. They claim higher premiums help avoid development of flood-prone land.

It could take years to find suitable compromises. In the meantime, buyers beware. Perhaps TMAC’s recommendations will help improve awareness.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/27/2023

2311 Days since Hurricane Harvey

TWDB to Consider $50 Million Grant for Lake Houston Gates

Save the date. On December 7, 2023, the Texas Water Development Board will consider a $50 million grant to the City of Houston for structural improvements to the Lake Houston Dam. The improvements will extend the life of the dam and enable rapid lowering of lake levels in advance of a flood.

The project, led by outgoing Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello, will benefit thousands of residential properties in the surrounding area.

Make sure the next mayor supports it. Get out and vote. Better yet, take your neighbors with you!

Background

The $50 million grant will complement funds from other sources including FEMA. The addition of new tainter gates will enable Lake Houston to shed water faster before and during storms, reducing the risk of flooding.

Until now, pre-releasing water has been risky. The old gates on the Lake Houston dam can release only 10,000 cubic feet per second. As a result, to significantly lower the lake, releases must start far in advance of a storm. But storms can veer away during that extended time. That increases the chances that the City could waste water.

After several years of study, the City has found that the optimal option would be to add tainter gates to the eastern, earthen portion of the dam. But the cost increased significantly compared to the crest gates initially favored.

*Proposed location for new tainter gates.*

Earlier this year, the Legislature set aside more funds for the new tainter gates and specifically directed the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to provide those funds. The TWDB’s executive administrator has recommended authorizing the funds. The Board just needs to approve them.

TWDB Board Meeting In Houston

The TWDB board will consider the approval at a rare Houston meeting at the Harris County Flood Control District in early December.

Date/Time:
Thursday, December 07, 2023; 9:30 AM

Location:
In person at 7522 Prairie Oak Drive
Michael Talbott Pavilion, Harris County Flood Control District Service Center
Houston, TX 77086

To view the webinar online, you must register for details.

Visitors who wish to address the Board should complete a visitor registration card and attend the meeting in person. The Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits visitor participation by telephone only. The visitor registration card is available and should be completed and submitted by e-mail to Customer Service no later than 8:00 a.m. on December 7, 2023, or in person at the registration desk.

Here is the full agenda. The $50 million grant for more gates is #14. Here is the backup information.

New, higher capacity gates were one of the three primary recommendations made by the Lake Houston Area Task Force after Harvey to mitigate flooding in the area. If all goes according to plan, construction could start in mid-2026, according to Costello.

Will Next Houston Mayor Support the Project?

Large infrastructure projects like this depend on unwavering political support. Completion of this project could take until the NEXT mayoral election. In the meantime, make sure we elect a mayor who will support the Gates Project until then. Keep it moving forward.

In that regard, John Whitmire has already demonstrated his support. If you haven’t yet voted, make sure you do. Take your neighbors, too. And then walk around your block and knock on some doors. Keeping this project will depend on turnout in the current runoff election.

So far, Acres Homes has had eight times more early voters than Huffman. And fewer than 4,000 people have voted in Kingwood.
As of 12/1/2023 according to Harris Votes.

The last day for early voting is December 5th. Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm except for Sunday when they open at noon. Your last chance to vote is on Election Day, December 9th. For complete election information, visit Harris Votes.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/1/2023

2285 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Tag Archive for: FEMA