TONIGHT’S AREA FLOODING SYMPOSIUM CANCELLED BY AREA FLOODING 
The free public Flooding and Storm Surge Symposium previously planned for this evening at the George R. Brown Convention Center is being postponed, on account of it’s flooding right now. The event would have included 2 panel discussions with flood-minded folks from a variety of public and private sectors and institutions, gathering to talk about the city’s flooding and storm surge issues and possible solutions; the Urban Design Committee of the Houston chapter of the AIA says the event will be rescheduled. [Houston AIA] Photo of this morning’s high water at Allen’s Landing: Christine Wilson
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I’m pretty sure this headline should win something in the End Of The Year awards.
And they say irony is dead.
This story is probably too ironic to even comment on. I will try.
As a civil engineer and drainage specialist, I know there are solutions available to remedy our flooding problems. As a taxpayer and engaged citizen, I am skeptical that the political and societal will to pay for such remedies exist in our community. I love my home state and my new home in Houston along flood-prone Brays Bayou. Still, I am realistic and I know that the “damage” has already been done and it would cost ridiculous sums of $$$ to go back and undo 50 years of aggressive development and pay to properly mitigate it with upgraded bayous, ponds and storm sewers. I design these things every day. Are there more “green” approaches? Absolutely, and when appropriately sized they can mitigate pretty significant sized areas. Unfortunately they are impractical and not suited for regional drainage concerns. Land would need to be purchased, ponds excavated, outfalls and storm sewers rehabbed and rebuilt. Even with all that we would still be susceptible to the next big hurricane or 500yr+ storm that seems to be hitting us with more regularity.
We live in an area that was formerly coastal marsh and river delta. Nature intended for it to flood. We are blessed with access to road/rail/ocean, relatively affordable housing, abundant job prospects, fair weather, and ample space. The cost of those blessings is a flood-prone coastal region.
My professional recommendation would be to find and purchase property on a hill (good luck with that), buy or build an elevated home, or sit tight and pray to whatever God you believe in that your house doesn’t get swept away the next time.
If Houston would start a huge “Keep the city clean” campaign and dredge buffalo bayou it might help a bit..
Can’t believe the amount of plastics people throw into the streets every day helping clog up water drainage systems. Natural debris is just that ” natural” and biodegrades in small time.. There should be systems in place to prevent flood glogging. As far as bigger longer drainage ravines that take water away and into the suburbs of other flood prone areas of Houston I have no solution there. Houston when I lived there did not flood like this, this often.. Just crazy.. Stay safe everyone
People: move to Austin. It floods less.
To add some oomph to Happy’s comment above: Go the distance and move to Lubbock. Cheaper houses and more room to spread out. Less hipsters, too.
Texas Monthly Bum Steer committee take note.