Storm water starts rising in neighborhoods near Addicks and Barker dams (Houston)

Houston Chronicle ^ | August 28, 2017 | John D. Harden

[plain talk]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs early Monday morning, hours before officials planned to release rainfall from the two dams, according to the Harris County Flood Control District.

The flood control district reported almost an hour later that storm water has started rising in the neighborhoods adjacent to Addicks and Barker. Heavy rainfall forced reservoir officials to begin releasing water from the dams sooner than previously planned.

Col. Lars N. Zetterstrom with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had announced late Sunday afternoon that rising levels in the two reservoirs would force authorities to release water from both dams.

The rising tides within the dams are forcing the water to swell and spill upstream into neighboring communities that sit against the dams.

[plain talk]

As a former resident of New Orleans I remember the anger residents felt when levees were intentionally broken during 1965 Hurricane Betsy to sacrifice low income neighborhoods to save downtown New Orleans. It may seems like a reasonable thing that adults do when faced with such choices. But dems can spin things like this.

[Ingtar]

In this case, it is flood more downstream now, or flood upstream and downstream when the dam is over topped.

[Snickering Hound]

https://www.harriscountyfws.org/GageDetail/Index/2110?span=2%20Days&v=surfaceBox

Water still rising behind Addicks.

[dragnet2]

Were just watching videos...

Tens of thousands of homes are flooded...That will wreck havoc on the housing market down there in Texas.

They also said tens of thousands of used cars that were caught in the flood will come on the market in the next several month as they were advising people to beware of deals that just looked too good.

[Cowboy Bob]

Any idea how bad the flooding is between HW 6 and Sam Houston Tollway (between Westheimer and I-10)?

[plain talk]

Any idea how bad the flooding is between HW 6 and Sam Houston Tollway (between Westheimer and I-10)?

That is my old stomping grounds. Communicated with a relative last night but no definitive info on that.

[JimRed]

So, they release it and flood the areas below the dams? Soungds like a plan! < /sarc >

[Snickering Hound]

So, they release it and flood the areas below the dams? Soungds like a plan!

Or let the water build up until it collapses.

Both dams are now well above their 100 year flood levels.

[jeffc]

Is Highway 6 between I-10 and Clay passable? We haven’t heard from my wife’s sister lately (Clay and Greenhouse)...

[Snickering Hound]

Is Highway 6 between I-10 and Clay passable? We haven’t heard from my wife’s sister lately (Clay and Greenhouse)...

Nope, shut down.

[lurk]

On the upside, residents won’t need to water or mow their lawns for a couple of weeks.

[plsvn]

Any idea how bad the flooding is between HW 6 and Sam Houston Tollway (between Westheimer and I-10)?

This is a large chunk of real estate. I'm inside it near Eldridge between Briar Forest and Memorial. I have not been out to look myself, but I can tell you from watching Google Maps traffic Eldridge and Diary Ashford where these roads go over Buffalo Bayou have been closed supposedly until Sept 1 probably due to the water release from the Barker and Addicks reservoirs. On the radio (KTRH-AM) I heard there is flooding around homes in the northeast corner of your zone which I'm thinking translates to areas north of Memorial just west of Highway 6. Otherwise, thankfully I'm high and dry at the moment.

[jeffc]

Ohhhh...So Bear Creek is flooded.

Thanks.

[Snickering Hound]

Back in 1935, downtown Houston flooded thanks to the Buffalo Bayou. It's why those dams were built.

They're actually just mounds of earth, and they are currently feet above both record and century flood height.

If they give way...

[Snickering Hound]

Ohhhh...So Bear Creek is flooded.

Bear Creek Park floods on a cloudy day...

[Robert A Cook PE]

The Katy, west side I-10 region of Houston, and almost all of the Brazos River drainage area all the way past Sugarland and Tomball are not “low rent” or urban poor by any means. There are (as always) poorer neighborhoods, but nothing to compare with the corrupt democrats (residents, voters, illegal aliens, and politicians) who were underwater in New Orleans. Houston itself IS corrupt and democrat enriched, but this area is well west of its corruption.

[Snickering Hound]

https://www.zillow.com/memorial-houston-tx/

Memorial Drive is quite affluent and borders the Buffalo Bayou in West Houston.

[Cowboy Bob]

Thanks for the update!

[Cowboy Bob]

Thanks for the update. Best of luck to you!