Posted on 07/16/2015 5:33:01 AM PDT by thackney
Over 37.3 trillion gallons of water fell in Texas this past spring after heavy precipitation resulted in substantial flooding. While years of drought were literally washed away, the state experienced significant consequences of the flooding, including 21 deaths according to a report by NPR.
The recent weather patterns exposed vital shortcomings in the state’s flood control infrastructure, which brings into question the appropriateness and level of investment in the state’s flood prevention infrastructure, the network of systems needed to protect the lives and property of citizens of the state.
The rain Texas received during the single month of May broke a previous month’s record from June 2004, according to the Office of the State Climatologist at Texas A&M University. The level of flooding was reminiscent of the 1981 Memorial Day flooding when the state experienced millions of dollars in damage and loss of life. Yet, the events of 1981 did not seem to influence any preventative infrastructure investments, as none have been made during the last 30 years. This was apparent in 2012 when the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Texas a “D” infrastructure rating in 2012.
No matter if it is roads, bridges, dams, or pipelines, the state of infrastructure in Texas and all across the nation is negatively affecting our safety, mobility, and quality of life. In the case of Texas, the lives lost and damage done is a direct reflection on the poor quality of the infrastructure designed to protect human lives in times of natural disaster. Without improved infrastructure in place, flooding will continue to disrupt homes, neighborhoods, and cities across Texas.
Building to prevent future flood damage requires prevention mechanisms built with a sense of quality over quantity. Natural and man-made levees are effective, but not a foolproof defense against excessive precipitation. These natural levees wear down and sanction seepage and often go unnoticed by state and local governments. According to the Dallas Morning News, state officials have known about dangerously inadequate levees along the Trinity River for over a decade, and while officials have discussed updating these levees; this vital infrastructure remains untouched.
Forgoing the maintenance of foundational infrastructure creates an unsafe and irresponsible environment, which reflects poorly on the state and cities in Texas. This was evident in 2009 when Dallas was one of the first cities ever to receive an “unacceptable” rating for its floodway system from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Further, Texas as a whole has no comprehensive statewide floodplain management plan. This laissez-faire attitude towards failing infrastructure ultimately leads to further damage and deadweight loss for the economy
In the last 37 years, Texas spent over $5.6 billion in flood claims, falling behind only Louisiana and New Jersey for having the highest flood claims. Had adequate flood control measures been in place, damage claims of this magnitude could have been avoided. According to the ASCE, aside from low-interest loans and small grants, Texas does not fund flood control infrastructure.
The lack of this necessary infrastructure leaves citizens vulnerable to deadly floods, and threatens existing and aging energy sources such as power plants, refineries, and transmission lines. Texas is a key player in the energy game, holding 27 refineries and processing over 4.7 million barrels per day. Five major refineries in the Port Arthur area supply almost 50 percent of jet A fuel used in the United States. Critical energy sources of this caliber need to be protected from damaging natural disasters.
Investing in preventative infrastructure is crucial for the state of Texas to safeguard its citizens and to foster a healthy economy. Whatever the weather, the time is now for Texas to take action on its flood control infrastructure, and the longer state officials wait to revamp existing levees, the more costly it becomes.
The only thing the flooding revealed is that Texas is flat, really flat.
But we knew that. Sort of obvious if you live here.
The flooding here in Houston may not have been as bad if our Mayor Porker would not have diverted funds to other projects thus leaving the city more vulnerable to flooding.
and, it slopes downward to the gulf
I love that map!
You ever wonder why birds fly upside down over Oklahoma?
Because it ain’t worth $h1tt1n9 on!
Guadalupe Peak, also known as Signal Peak, is the highest natural point in Texas, with an elevation of 8,751 feet (2,667 m) above sea level. It is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and is part of the Guadalupe Mountains range in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas.
How long have you lived in Houston? I have lived here 75 years this next September and Houston has always flooded as long as I can remember. I dislike Mayor Porker but because of houses built in places that have always flooded, more houses are flooding. Maybe that is her fault, I don’t know.
I did not know that!!! ( cue Johnny Carson).
Yep. One of the few places in Texas where the topo maps have more lines than the road maps you buy at the Kwik Shop.
I’ve only been here for two years so I can’t speak for what’s happened historically. I currently work for an engineering company and we have numerous projects relating to drainage and flood control. Many of these projects have been placed on hold due to the diversion of funds.
If the projects would have continued there would have been less homes flooded.
I agree that building a house where it has flooded before is not the brightest thing to do. You’d be surprised (maybe not) at how many people never look at the flood plain map to see what the possibility is where they live.
Yep! My own daughter bought a house last year, built on and partially down into a ravine. It flooded, surprise, mom told you not to buy that house. She is getting insurance money to fix but but what a nightmare.
What did Mayor Anus Porker (see what I did there) do with the funds?
My grandson lives halfway between Amarillo and Lubbock. Said if you stand on a small step stool out there on a clear day you can see the Fort Worth skyline.
During the last rain deluge on three days in a row we had three inches of rain in less than an hour. Wouldn’t matter if we spent a gazillion dollars on flood control. That is just a whole lot of water all at one time.
On another occasion I remember hearing my son tell a friend, “ let's go play in my room, it's not raining in there” . That still makes me smile.
Unfortunately we weren’t told where the funds went. Only that the city wanted to put the projects on hold due to “funding issues.” Basically we get an amendment to the contract extending the date and wait to hear form the city again.
I refuse to buy a house here as I am only here for a set period of time. My goal is to save enough to buy a house where I want and at that point quit my job and retire. Thankfully that point is approaching rapidly!
Where is the retirement spot you are thinking about?
Good story with one MAJOR FLAW...the Corps of Eng study from 2009 about Dallas. In the six years we have spent more than 500 million on Trinity River upgrades. During the recent rains the amount of flooding in Dallas was much less due to new pumping programs and other controls. Many suburbs have done similar things, I live near a road that always flooded when 2” of rain hit the area. Now our city has installed a huge watershed program that eliminated that problem.
Yup. Grew up in Seabrook. Biggest 'hill' for miles around was the Kemah Bridge.
LOL!
One good thing about back then - there wasn’t so much concrete just plenty of grass and trees. Now not so much. Remember watching one Yankee being interviewed on our local TV during the flood. Said she knew we had some rain on occasion but she wasn’t expecting so much all at once. This occurred as they were hauling her car out of the water. Guess she’ll learn one of these days that when anything happens down here it’s all or nothing.
Funny comment by your son. Kids in our neighborhood were all out playing in the rain.
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