Flooding

Goal

Incorporate increasing rainfall forecasts into flooding and drainage protection plans

Issue

Severe flood events since Ike in 2008...

Stream gages to remind us of past major storms

In less than a 10 year span, from Ike in 2008 to Harvey in 2017, our region experienced 6 major flooding events

More homes in FEMAs 100 year flood zone

The FEMA national flood hazard viewer allows you to enter your info (put your street address and zip) to see the 100 year and 500 year flood plains near you. Note however that FEMA maps are only updated through your county government and Montgomery County has declined to update their maps. The process to update Harris County FEMA maps has started.

Solution

We should have a flood control system that can handle more severe storms BEFORE the next storm
We should demand our government work to protect our interests instead of the interests of future development only - to avoid future tragedies

How

Existing floodways need to be evaluated and improved. For example, remove sediment that has accumulated since original construction, regrade/enlarge floodway channels that have changed since original construction and add detention where possible

New developments should design detention for 500 year storms not 100 year storms

Do Nothing

If we don't improve existing floodways, there will be more flooding.

Want to learn more about current issues in flooding? Click here.