With many of the same areas getting flooded again, it seems that more buyouts might be in the offing. Flood victims interviewed on television blame poor drainage, but widening and deepening the creeks and other streams is not always practical. Whom to blame? The government for not improving the drainage system? Builders for developing in suspect areas? Citizens for desiring beautiful locations and not thinking about the proximity of creeks and rivers? Mango
Blame global warming. I thought it was funny when I was in school at UH in the late eighties, a friend of mine had a geography class. The course textbook had a section about building on flood plains. Would you believe the picture was a development on Nasa Rd 1 in Clear Lake, right down the street from my house. It was freaky. But then again I had watched that development built, and then slowly sink into the Lake....
Good topic. I think I would put all the blame on the citizens--these are things you should consider prior to purchasing a home.
Not sure about that. Alot of sellers are less than forthcoming with the necessary information in order for buyers to make an educated decision. Add in the fact that buyers have a million other things to consider when buying a home and it's perfectly easy for someone to overlook the dangers of flooding. The persons who should be taken to task are those who fail to zone properly for those areas that are extremely flood prone (or those who fail to institute any zoning at all). Smarter development planning would alleviate alot of the repeat cases.
For those in or near the Clear Creek flood zone (like myself), there is a new website devoted to answering your questions about the long standing plan of the Army Corp of Engineers for "channelization" of Clear Creek. Clear Creek Project Also, here's a previous thread where this topic was discussed. Mango, the above link has much more up to date info than the ones in the previous thread. Interesting reading for all of us affected by it.
Behad, That is a nice link, but it still reads that they are <i>studying and meeting</i>. The Corps projected a three year study and the local entities asked for a quicker turnaround. After the studying and meeting, they will need to arrive at a decision and then seek funding for the <i>plan</i>. Then implement the plan that could possibly require land buyouts for widening of existing drainage and creation of new paths. The Rockets might have several championships before all of this is completed. Will they be required to have public meetings to hear opinions on the <i>plan</i> before starting the funding and implementation phases? Also, there is a mention of <i>No Action</i> as a possibilty and that is scary. How accurate will be the information that they request that people email about personal observations on Tropical Storm Allison? Between schools and other local government physical sites, it seems they would have established a network of information gathering (rain gauges and flooding metrics) that would be more solid than an individual's email. Mango
Mango, they have been studying and meeting since 1967! Why stop now? I agree about the request for input from the public via email. I would hope that they do have the necessary measuring tools in place. I get the feeling, IMHO, that these requested emails are a way to placate the public by giving them a "voice" in whatever direction this project heads.
Behad, These are the main options that I can think of: 1) Widening and deepening existing drainage. 2) Creating new channels to Clear Lake. 3) Condem/buy more houses and expand the flood plain to halt development. 4) Other methods such as elevating houses, increased retention etc. 5) No Action as mentioned in the link you provided. With the continued growth in the Pearland area, things will only get worse because not enough retention is available and the improvement in downstream runoff is inadequate. Will the current round of research, studies and meetings factor in sizable growth (land development)? When did the Rockets become established as a NBA franchise? Mango
Mango, you were really close in your assessment. Here are the tools listed for alleviating the problem: Non-structural "Tools" Buyout of Structures including both residential and commercial buildings Flood-Proofing Structures including raising houses Flood Alerts including warnings and temporary evacuations Flood plain Management and Regulation prohibiting building in the flood plain and/or applying more stringent elevation criteria for new structures. Use of Natural Processes for storm water management Structural "Tools" Channelization widening, deepening, lining and/or clearing stretches of the creek Detention Facilities Bypass Channels Bridge Evaluations removing, replacing and modifying bridges Construction of Levees and/or Flood Walls Building New Outlets and/or Transition Structures Of all these, the simplest is the most controversial: "channelization", or widening, deepening, and straightening the creek. Have you ever been on Clear Creek? It's beautiful. Miles and miles of natural habitat meandering among the developments. I have boated and skied (sp?..been skiing?) on that Creek for more than 20 years. To see it turned into a giant ditch would break my heart. However, today it crested at 13 ft. (flood stage is 12 ft.), and it flooded some homes for the second time this year. People I have known for many years have lost belongings that were just replaced a month ago. I don't have any answers. I sure hope somebody does, and soon.
Behad, They have been doing the research for years and why would the recent flooding give them a reason to expedite this work? They might as well push forward on the buyouts because it is the quickest way to end the misery and expense of redoing things after the current and future floods. If they did the "Big Ditch" project, how long before completion if they started the work on Oct 1, 2001? Mango
I live in downtown Chicago and I've been flooded out three times in three weeks, no fun. I've lost a whole hell of a lot, including everything I've ever written (backup zip drives, laptops, printed-out stuff). Michael Murphy from the Chronicle was also hit pretty hard by the flood from earlier this summer down in Hosuton.
This rain is messed up. Its been raining non stop for the last 2-3 days. And just now for 2 hours it was quiet and the weather was looking good, then all of a sudden the rain starts. Its not an ugly day , its bright and sunny but the rain is starting to hit again. STOP THIS RAIN!
WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN Long as I remember The rain been comin' down. Clouds of myst'ry pourin' Confusion on the ground. Good men through the ages, Tryin' to find the sun; And I wonder, Still I wonder, Who'll stop the rain. I went down Virginia, Seekin' shelter from the storm. Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow. Five year plans and new deals, Wrapped in golden chains. And I wonder, Still I wonder Who'll stop the rain. Heard the singers playin', How we cheered for more. The crowd had rushed together, Tryin' to keep warm. Still the rain kept pourin', Fallin' on my ears. And I wonder, Still I wonder Who'll stop the rain.
Here comes the rain again... Thanks everyone who made it clear that this problem isn't as simple as I assumed.
