Houston, we have a problem as flooding continues to plague the country’s fourth-largest city. Homes have been damaged or destroyed, major highways shut down and at least six people have lost their lives. Sadly, there’s no end in sight and, according to Houston’s mayor, there isn’t any readily available solution, either.
Houston, we have a problem as flooding continues to plague the country’s fourth-largest city. Homes have been damaged or destroyed, major highways shut down and at least six people have lost their lives. Sadly, there’s no end in sight and, according to Houston’s mayor, there isn’t any readily available solution, either.
More rain is possible (and likely falling as one types this) today. Some areas were looking at water levels of almost 20” yesterday, causing school closures, power outages and subdivisions flooded. When possible, residents were being urged to shelter in place yesterday.
Speaking of no end in sight, parts of southeast Texas are under a flash flood watch until 7:00AM Wednesday.
While serious floods are pretty much the norm in the almost sea-level city, that doesn’t make the damage and loss any easier to accept.
Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner sympathized with his fellow Houstonians saying, “I regret anyone whose home is flooded again. There’s nothing I can say that’s going to ease your frustration. We certainly can’t control the weather. A lot of rain coming in a very short period of time, there’s nothing you can do.”
Here is a list of flooding watersheds in Harris County:
- Addicks Reservoir (Bear Creek and South Mayde Creek)
- Barker Reservoir (Buffalo Bayou)
- Cypress Creek
- Little Cypress Creek
- Spring Creek
- Willow Creek
- San Jacinto River (East Fork, West Fork and San Jacinto)
Reports say that all the bayous in Houston are back in their banks.
Experts are of the opinion that the city’s location, soft soil and rapidly-growing building developments and population – a boom that’s converted empty pastures into residential neighborhoods – all combine to make Houston more vulnerable to floods.
Business group, The Greater Houston Partnership, said that the population of Harris County (which contains Houston and many of its suburbs) has jumped by 30% since 2000. Surrounding counties have seen a 10% population increase.
According to Philip Bedient, professor of engineering at Rice University, some of the newer developments in the area have adequate greenspace to handle water runoff. However, he warns, they don’t all have it.
He said, “Could we have engineered our way out of this?” Yes, but “only if we started talking about alterations 35 or 40 years ago.”
He’s previously worked with the Texas Medical Center on increasing preparedness for extreme rainfall and flooding. Some of those improvements include a sophisticated weather alert system. The system gives Texas Medical Center extra time to activate doors and gates designed to block excess rainfall.
Bedient also said, “We can’t solve this flood problem in Houston. All we can do is a better job warning.”
Such efforts could include upgrades in monitoring systems for specific watersheds and flood-prone areas. The extra warning could give people enough time to take protective action and save lives.
Many Houstonians have been forced to leave their homes due to the floodwaters. In addition to its usual facilities, the American Red Cross has opened the following extra shelters:
AUSTIN COUNTY:
Knights of Columbus Hall, 1390 US-90, Sealy
HARRIS COUNTY:
Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Dr., Houston
Willow Meadows Baptist Church, 9800 Town Park Dr., Houston
Johnston Middle School, 10410 Manhattan Dr., Houston
Jersey Village Baptist Church, 16518 Jersey Drive, Jersey Village
MO Campbell Education Center, 1865 Aldine Bender Rd., Houston
Rosehill United Methodist Church, 21022 Rosehill Church Rd, Tomball
South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Rd., Spring
MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
East Montgomery County Senior Center, 21679 McCleskey Road, New Caney
First United Methodist Church in Conroe, 4309 West Davis, Conroe
WALLER COUNTY:
Pine Island Baptist Church, 36573 Brumlow Rd., Hempstead
Royal High School, 2550 Durkin Rd., Pattison
The shelters are open 24 hours/day, giving those affected by the floods a warm, dry place to stay as well as food and emotional support.
Now is the time to pull together, too. The shelters and food/service distribution programs helping affected Houstonians desperately need volunteers. On-site training is provided and interested volunteers should call 713-313-5491 or visit redcross.org/volunteer.
If you’ve been affected by the floods and have flood-related needs, please call the American Red Cross at 1-866-526-8300.
If you can’t help in person but want to help financially, you can do so at redcross.org/donate.
Even the IRS is offering some help! On Monday, it announced that Houston taxpayers who have been affected by the recent severe weather may qualify for waiver of late filing penalties. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet due to the weather, please call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 when you’re able.
Also, the city requests that those whose homes have been damaged by the floods should report it immediately (if possible) to Houston 311. The city has provided three means to do so:
- Call 311 (713-837-0311)
- Go to houston311.org and click on “Flooding”
- Download the Houston 311 App for iOS or Android
Source:
Join the conversation!