The Flood in Texas

[CathyA]

I feel bad for all those people whose lives are totally disrupted by this flooding.

But I've been hearing on the news that a lot of the problem is that there has been so much building in Houston, and so much concrete covering the earth, and so much of the wetlands destroyed, that the water has no place to go.
I heard that they have 150,000 new people there every year. Is that possible?

At what point do people say "We just can't take anymore/build anymore, because it's counterproductive to our existence?

This area floods on a regular basis because of it's low sea level, poor drainage, etc.
How many times will people continue to rebuild in coastal areas when weather seems to be getting regularly worse?

How long will insurance companies keep allowing people to have insurance who live on coastal areas?

When will people put 2+2 together and get 4?

More floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, fires.........When will people even begin to consider that it might just be related to how mankind lives?

[Williamsmith]

I feel bad for all those people whose lives are totally disrupted by this flooding.

But I've been hearing on the news that a lot of the problem is that there has been so much building in Houston, and so much concrete covering the earth, and so much of the wetlands destroyed, that the water has no place to go.
I heard that they have 150,000 new people there every year. Is that possible?

At what point do people say "We just can't take anymore/build anymore, because it's counterproductive to our existence?

This area floods on a regular basis because of it's low sea level, poor drainage, etc.
How many times will people continue to rebuild in coastal areas when weather seems to be getting regularly worse?

How long will insurance companies keep allowing people to have insurance who live on coastal areas?

When will people put 2+2 together and get 4?

More floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, fires.........When will people even begin to consider that it might just be related to how mankind lives?


My son is currently sitting in his second floor bedroom with his wife, dog and neighbors. He is in Richmond, Tx and has two feet of water on the first floor of his house. His cars are under water, his electricity is out, no bathroom facilities, two cases of bottled water and whatever food they could scavenge and take upstairs. He moved into his house two months ago and he will likely be financially ruined because he was not required to get flood insurance. The reason he is there is because Houston and Texas in general is one of few locations in the US for a young man to get a good paying job with a future. If I had a way to get him out of there, I would. But I don't. Regretfully, I feel quite helpless.

[razz]

WS, that has to be one of the most painful experience to feel helpless when one of your children is struggling. I am so sorry for all the families who are going through this. Been there, done that, so send heartfelt thoughts of support to all.

[pinkytoe]

Having spent much of my past on the Texas coast, I can attest to the crazy development of the area over the years. Not smart. The flatness is immense and much less powerful storms can still cause a lot of damage. When I was 16, I drove to visit my father who lived south of Houston and I got caught in a memorable storm where the water covered the highway and most of my car; I had to be rescued along with my dog and my car was totaled. We had considered retiring to Rockport or Galveston but decided against because of those kind of risks plus the insurance costs to cover a house there are very high. It floors me to think our new home is 6000ft above sea level and Houston is something like 80. I also wonder how Florence who posts here occasionally is faring?

[ApatheticNoMore]

I heard that they have 150,000 new people there every year. Is that possible?

well Texas as a whole is the number one state Californians leave to when they leave and they are leaving (though it is not where I would go if I left, it would be very far down my list of states), but that has to have some impact.


At what point do people say "We just can't take anymore/build anymore, because it's counterproductive to our existence?

NOT building can be every bit as counterproductive it seems though. Not building enough housing to accommodate people when you have population growth is how you have really expensive housing eventually and that is a large part of why people are leaving California to Texas! There are jobs both places, but affordable housing not so much.

Now this doesn't mean building on wild areas makes sense, the solution is probably density but done in a livable way (we all know it can be done in a non-livable way, but why focus on what doesn't work). I believe livable density is DOABLE. That's assuming we aren't just going to write off the whole city of Houston as being a hopeless place for people to live in it's entirety of course, and really that's probably not practical as people do live there. But try selling density to people moving to Texas for the McMansion dream, or at least a fairly big size house on some acreage, that they should instead be living in duplexes or small houses with small shared greenspace or for some condos maybe ... I wouldn't say packed like sardines into 10 story buildings, I'm not that extreme. But maybe the single family home dream on a large lot doesn't work too well either, at least in places with population growth and resources constraints.


How long will insurance companies keep allowing people to have insurance who live on coastal areas?

that's a problem for insurance companies or maybe the government, but for individuals not having insurance is far worse, and I've heard it's common there. It is economic devastation, people will owe mortgages on houses that aren't even livable in, in some cases. The cars that are flooded will often be ruined.

[pinkytoe]

that is a large part of why people are leaving California to Texas!
Yep. And the affordable housing that is disappearing because of it is our reason for leaving.

[iris lilies]

Rockport is charming, or was charming when I was there in 2000. My mother spent a few winters there. My brother goes there often to vacation and to stay with feiends, my cousin has a place there. I think it porbably has been built up a lot since I was there and the down home casualness may have disappeared.

[Yppej]

Flood insurance is a Federal government program. You and I subsidize it with our taxes. There's no way a private insurance company would take the risk.

[CathyA]

Williamsmith..........I hope your son and his family are okay. It must be so very traumatic for them, and for you not being able to help. Let us know how he's doing.

[Williamsmith]

CathyA....your spirit of caring is appreciated and I can tell genuine.

My son, his wife and their dog were plucked from their home by volunteer rescuers who left the safety of their homes to save perfect strangers. They road in a boat to a grocery store where the National Guard has dump trucks staged. They rode in a dump truck to the nearest shelter. His wife's employer took them in until they can travel safely to be with the sister in law.

When the water recedes and Harvey is satisfied with its destruction, they will go back, demolition the house and pray for resources enough to repair the bones of their home. I saw video of them being rescued. They looked like drowned rats but I could see that there was a spark in their eye that will be used to ignite a new chapter in their lives. They are newlyweds. The dog they have they rescued themselves. It will be difficult and I have pledged them all my resources which includes all my savings. Such a disaster.

[flowerseverywhere]

CathyA....your spirit of caring is appreciated and I can tell genuine.

My son, his wife and their dog were plucked from their home by volunteer rescuers who left the safety of their homes to save perfect strangers. They road in a boat to a grocery store where the National Guard has dump trucks staged. They rode in a dump truck to the nearest shelter. His wife's employer took them in until they can travel safely to be with the sister in law.

When the water recedes and Harvey is satisfied with its destruction, they will go back, demolition the house and pray for resources enough to repair the bones of their home. I saw video of them being rescued. They looked like drowned rats but I could see that there was a spark in their eye that will be used to ignite a new chapter in their lives. They are newlyweds. The dog they have they rescued themselves. It will be difficult and I have pledged them all my resources which includes all my savings. Such a disaster.

wonderful news they are safe. I cannot imagine the relief you feel.

they are very lucky to have you. Imagine all the people who don't have anyone with resources to help them, or who,have lost their homes, cars, jobs. Heartbreaking

[flowerseverywhere]

Flood insurance is a Federal government program. You and I subsidize it with our taxes. There's no way a private insurance company would take the risk.

i have flood insurance. We live in Florida 60 feet above sea level. There is an extensive system of ponds and pumps to keep this area flood free. But we all know drains can get clogged with debris, pumps can fail. This morning I was talking to a group of my neighbors. Not one has flood insurance because it is not required. I gladly pay $450 a year extra for peace of mind. In almost 40 years of home ownership we have never had a claim. But like health insurance I am more than happy to put in my share so if something happens I will get help.
The crazy thing is every single one of them could afford to pay it, as they frequently eat out, most drink alcohol. We are not struggling young people.

One of of my friends was a weatherman. He said there was a similar disasterous flood in the thirties right in this area. Of course since then there has been a ton of building of course making the situation impossible. But there is no way even the best planned and built community is going to escape damage when 30-50 inches of rain comes down.

Of interest will will be what happens when congress and the senate start to grapple with the huge assistance Texas will need in the midst of budget negotiations. I imagine things will get quite messy. But how can we not help people who did everything right, moved to get work, paid taxes and followed all advice and lost everything.

[Florence]

CathyA....your spirit of caring is appreciated and I can tell genuine.

My son, his wife and their dog were plucked from their home by volunteer rescuers who left the safety of their homes to save perfect strangers. They road in a boat to a grocery store where the National Guard has dump trucks staged. They rode in a dump truck to the nearest shelter. His wife's employer took them in until they can travel safely to be with the sister in law.

When the water recedes and Harvey is satisfied with its destruction, they will go back, demolition the house and pray for resources enough to repair the bones of their home. I saw video of them being rescued. They looked like drowned rats but I could see that there was a spark in their eye that will be used to ignite a new chapter in their lives. They are newlyweds. The dog they have they rescued themselves. It will be difficult and I have pledged them all my resources which includes all my savings. Such a disaster.

Williamsmith, We live just outside Richmond, TX. I am so glad your son and his wife were rescued!! We are still in our house and have had no water in the house so far. We were without electricity for about 20 hours but the heroic linemen restored our power. We are more or less marooned as the roads are treacherous. The next ordeal will be the cresting of the Brazos River at 57.5 feet early on Thursday. So very many people are in subdivisions protected by levees and many of those levees were not designed for that high. We are not in an evacuation zone but are very close. I hope your son and DIL remain safe. This is one godawful mess down here.

[Williamsmith]

I am very proud of these kids. I gave my son a copy of Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover." They both recently got out of college and each had a car for work. They paid off all their college debt and both car loans before they got married. The only debt they have is the house. I think that might just be the buffer they need to pull themselves up and out of this mess. They are trying to find a rental car today. I am prepared to drive my truck down there and leave it with them and fly home but things have to dry up first.

[Williamsmith]

Williamsmith, We live just outside Richmond, TX. I am so glad your son and his wife were rescued!! We are still in our house and have had no water in the house so far. We were without electricity for about 20 hours but the heroic linemen restored our power. We are more or less marooned as the roads are treacherous. The next ordeal will be the cresting of the Brazos River at 57.5 feet early on Thursday. So very many people are in subdivisions protected by levees and many of those levees were not designed for that high. We are not in an evacuation zone but are very close. I hope your son and DIL remain safe. This is one godawful mess down here.

Florence, my prayers are with you. I have been impressed thus far with the volunteerism and the dedication of emergency services and utilities. I believe Texans have something special in the caring department. If I find out names of people that helped my son I will be indebted to them and be forever grateful.

[catherine]

I am so sorry for this trial your family is going through, Williamsmith! Please keep us posted. It is really a tragedy. I have a good friend in Houston, and she's OK, but her DD had to evacuate.

Good to hear that Dave Ramsey was able to put your kids in a good financial position to weather storms (literally, in this case!) They are lucky to have your support. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[CathyA]

Williamsmith.....So glad to hear your son, wife and puppy dog are safe! Such a disaster for so many people. I can't imagine having one of my children in harm's way and not be able to do anything. So grateful for their safety. Your son sounds like a wonderful, responsible person.

I've heard it said on the news that people who need rescuing themselves are helping rescue others. We see the best of the human spirit in times like these.

[bae]

We see the best of the human spirit in times like these.

Seems to me I recommend this delightful little book every time there is a disaster, so here's another shill for it:

https://conversationsthatyouwillneverfinish.files.wordpres s.com/2009/09/solnit.jpg

[ToomuchStuff]

I've heard it said on the news that people who need rescuing themselves are helping rescue others. We see the best of the human spirit in times like these.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.... springs to mind.




When will people put 2+2 together and get 4?

More floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, fires.........When will people even begin to consider that it might just be related to how mankind lives?

While waiting for word about a former co worker, who recently moved to Houston, after his parents retired and moved down to be closer to him (and then he moves)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNobFi3Q-9Y

[dmc]

Flood insurance is a Federal government program. You and I subsidize it with our taxes. There's no way a private insurance company would take the risk.

They will only insure up to $250,000. Above that you would have to insure from a private company.

[rosarugosa]

WilliamSmith: It does sound like your son and DIL have what it takes to bounce back from this, but I'm so sorry they had to go through it.

[saguaro]

WilliamSmith, I am glad to hear that your son and daughter-in-law are safe. Sounds like they are already planning on how to regroup and come back from this.