The flooding in Houston from hurricane Harvey was according to some, a 1000-year event. Scientists, experts, and policy makers however, have been warning about the damage a storm like Harvey could do. In 2016, ProPublica published a three-part story on why Houston is especially vulnerable to catastrophic storms and flooding. The problem is inadequate urban design and policy. Poor design has contributed to worsening flood conditions and put more people at risk.
Urban sprawl, and developer free-for-alls with little regulation or enforcement, has limited Houston’s ability to deal with floodwaters.
“Scientists, other experts and federal officials say Houston’s explosive growth is largely to blame. As millions have flocked to the metropolitan area in recent decades, local officials have largely snubbed stricter building regulations, allowing developers to pave over crucial acres of prairie land that once absorbed huge amounts of rainwater. That has led to an excess of floodwater during storms that chokes the city’s vast bayou network, drainage systems, and two huge federally owned reservoirs, endangering many nearby homes.” – ProPublica
While the prairie seems “empty” to developers, it’s a critical part of nature’s own flood-absorbing infrastructure. The root systems for these grasses grow up to 15 feet deep, which essentially turns the land into a sponge during flooding.
Since 2010, over 7,000 homes have been built in 100-year flood zones. Developers claim that they can compensate for the loss of flood-absorbing land with man-made infrastructure, like retention ponds to catch runoff and elaborate pumping systems–which require repair and upkeep.
“[T]he fundamental problem is that Houstonians have assumed they can simply engineer their way out of flooding. In allowing developers to build houses on risky land and build infrastructure to compensate for natural floodplains, the city is essentially in denial about what infrastructure can do. Extreme weather is becoming more frequent, and while cities can’t control when and where a hurricane or storm strikes, they can impact how quickly they rebound; that’s the very definition of resiliency.” – ProPublica.
With updates to the Comprehensive Plan in progress, critics have claimed that the new way forward will in many ways be repeating the geodesign mistakes seen in Houston–increased development along coastal areas, loss of Seaside protections and overdeveloping the flood plains.
Causes and blame aside, coastal communities must be prepared to deal with effects of a changing environment, and devise sustainable ways forward that promote intelligent urban design. The ability to adapt will rely heavily on geodesign, and will need to leverage ‘big data’ and models, using resiliency tools such as the Coastal Resiliency App, the RAFT Tool.
Cape Charles recently participated in a RAFT Tool workshop. The Mirror has received and is reviewing the latest draft of the workshop report. The final report may be completed in the October time frame.
About the Author
‘What can the Eastern Shore Learn from Hurricane Harvey?’ you ask.
“Not to listen to Authorities” for starters.
They are but public servants, who work for you. They should not think for you.
To be quite honest, there really isn’t much to learn from other’s experiences prior, during and post hurricane. Prior to the storm approaching, most know to stock up, board up and round up all loose material within your property. If a pet owner, bring animals inside to weather the storm. If a direct hit approaches with maximum winds of over a hundred miles an hour, evacuation is advisable. After that, it truly becomes a Darwin Awards Moment.
During the storm, and if experiencing life changing moments such as your roof peeling away from overhead, or watching your neighbor’s car floating by your front yard, you are reconsidering staying; well, truth be told…it’s too late to leave. Welcome to your Darwin Award Moment. Those that have experienced this once…are now watching YOU on the evening news from the comfort of a Marriott or Sheridan somewhere just west and outside of Richmond. Congratulations.
Post hurricane, welcome to the world of massive cleanup. Owning a chainsaw will make you one of the popular neighbors for a week or so. Learn to grill massive amounts of freezer meat sided with canned beans, canned corn, canned everything else. Expect feet dragging from your insurance company for weeks, possible months, while you try and figure out why all of those monthly payments went down a black hole and into the pockets of this empty hearted agent standing before you. He or she is probably saying something like, “Flood Insurance doesn’t cover your roof lying over there. So, no, your wet soggy living room (and every other room in your house) is not covered…so very sorry”. Scratch your head while you try and figure out why ice went from two-fifty to ten dollars a bag. Same with gasoline…don’t even consider getting a generator. Chain saw just seized? Forget about it…watch your neighbors all grumble and melt away, disgusted. Nope…no more chain saws either. Post hurricane…where the world apocalypse in a micro-chasm can be played out right in your own neighborhood. Good times!
But, seriously…for folks like Blue Hoss; be thankful Public Servants ARE working for you. For, you see, they ARE the authorities when it comes to these natural disasters. They HAVE done the thinking for you prior to any disaster situation. They are the ones who direct and fly the rescue helicopters to your flooded neighborhoods. They are the ones that direct the soldiers who drive up in those two-ton trucks to evacuate the elderly trapped in the convalescent homes built in a flood plains endorsed and covered by Bet-Your-Life Insurance and their caring agents. These Public Servants serve for not just hours, but days during emergency situations. They have trained with the best and are linked directly to FEMA, and the Military to aid in any situation. So, no Blue Hoss, you don’t have to listen to authority, you don’t even have to pay attention to well-reasoned, technically gathered information processed to the simplest common denominator to ensure your safety and well-being by offering to you their FREE advice. But when that roof starts to lift and your generator floods out and that chainsaw has no extra oil for mixing…well, you can always pin your hopes on that ever-covetous Darwin Award. The rest of us…stay safe and thank a public official when you get the chance.
It went right over your head….
Those sheep waited until the Authorities ordered an evacuation. In doing so they found empty shelves, limited gas and traffic. Had they prepared earlier, on their own, they would have had full shelves, unlimited gas and no traffic.
But, seriously…for folks like Chas; be thankful there are Sheep Dogs out there. You keep right on doing what you are told.