Only because we gave up so much to the allow lesser states to come in...
;-)
Posted on 07/16/2015 5:33:01 AM PDT by thackney
Over 37.3 trillion gallons of water fell in Texas this past spring after heavy precipitation resulted in substantial flooding. While years of drought were literally washed away, the state experienced significant consequences of the flooding, including 21 deaths according to a report by NPR.
The recent weather patterns exposed vital shortcomings in the state’s flood control infrastructure, which brings into question the appropriateness and level of investment in the state’s flood prevention infrastructure, the network of systems needed to protect the lives and property of citizens of the state.
The rain Texas received during the single month of May broke a previous month’s record from June 2004, according to the Office of the State Climatologist at Texas A&M University. The level of flooding was reminiscent of the 1981 Memorial Day flooding when the state experienced millions of dollars in damage and loss of life. Yet, the events of 1981 did not seem to influence any preventative infrastructure investments, as none have been made during the last 30 years. This was apparent in 2012 when the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Texas a “D” infrastructure rating in 2012.
No matter if it is roads, bridges, dams, or pipelines, the state of infrastructure in Texas and all across the nation is negatively affecting our safety, mobility, and quality of life. In the case of Texas, the lives lost and damage done is a direct reflection on the poor quality of the infrastructure designed to protect human lives in times of natural disaster. Without improved infrastructure in place, flooding will continue to disrupt homes, neighborhoods, and cities across Texas.
Building to prevent future flood damage requires prevention mechanisms built with a sense of quality over quantity. Natural and man-made levees are effective, but not a foolproof defense against excessive precipitation. These natural levees wear down and sanction seepage and often go unnoticed by state and local governments. According to the Dallas Morning News, state officials have known about dangerously inadequate levees along the Trinity River for over a decade, and while officials have discussed updating these levees; this vital infrastructure remains untouched.
Forgoing the maintenance of foundational infrastructure creates an unsafe and irresponsible environment, which reflects poorly on the state and cities in Texas. This was evident in 2009 when Dallas was one of the first cities ever to receive an “unacceptable” rating for its floodway system from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Further, Texas as a whole has no comprehensive statewide floodplain management plan. This laissez-faire attitude towards failing infrastructure ultimately leads to further damage and deadweight loss for the economy
In the last 37 years, Texas spent over $5.6 billion in flood claims, falling behind only Louisiana and New Jersey for having the highest flood claims. Had adequate flood control measures been in place, damage claims of this magnitude could have been avoided. According to the ASCE, aside from low-interest loans and small grants, Texas does not fund flood control infrastructure.
The lack of this necessary infrastructure leaves citizens vulnerable to deadly floods, and threatens existing and aging energy sources such as power plants, refineries, and transmission lines. Texas is a key player in the energy game, holding 27 refineries and processing over 4.7 million barrels per day. Five major refineries in the Port Arthur area supply almost 50 percent of jet A fuel used in the United States. Critical energy sources of this caliber need to be protected from damaging natural disasters.
Investing in preventative infrastructure is crucial for the state of Texas to safeguard its citizens and to foster a healthy economy. Whatever the weather, the time is now for Texas to take action on its flood control infrastructure, and the longer state officials wait to revamp existing levees, the more costly it becomes.
Its floodin down in Texas and all the telephone lines are down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWjlUfLqKcc
Only people who have not been to Texas would be surprised by flooding in Texas. When the low spot in hundreds of miles in any direction is 25 feet it don’t take much. Look at a topographic map of Texas. There ARE NO contour lines.
Here, I did it for you:
http://www.texas-map.org/topo-map.htm
Take a look. We’re it not for west Texas the entire state is less than 3,000 ft elevation. The middle half is less than 1,000 feet of change.
Scaled to size it is “flatter than a pool table”.
The Brazos River, the major source of flooding in my area drops about 1,500 feet from beginning to end. But then it takes 840 miles to drop that far...
Less than two feet per mile. Flatter than a pool table.
Here in Hill Country there is maybe of 6” of soil atop solid limestone and no place for water to go except flooding.
The San Gabriel River is a trickle on a limestone slab most of the time but flash floods are pretty common. Most of the ‘creeks’ here are dry until it rains and flood instantly.
I’ve also heard that the floodgates on Longhorn Dam in Austin have been inoperative for years but would cost millions to repair — money that liberal idiots in Austin think is better spent on bike lanes so they can complain about traffic congestion as an excuse for a new billion dollar rail system.
Hey, we have hills in Houston, you outsiders just call them overpasses....
Four thousandths of an inch per foot. The width of a human hair. The amazing thing about Texas is when the rain falls on it how does it know which way to go?
There are nine gates on Longhorn Dam that can allow water to pass. One of the seven “lift gates” that are manually opened and closed to control flooding has been broken for years.
There are things that thinking people can do to provide safety to themselves and their family from flooding. 1) Don’t build your house in a flood plain or river bed, 2) don’t try to drive across a flooded road or stream, 3) know your surroundings, 4) if it is raining cats and dogs keep your butt at home and stop site seeing. These are all “common since” types of things.
I love giving Texans a hard time cuz I grew up in New Mexico. Texas wouldn’t have a high point if we had not loaned it to them.
There are worse places. My daughter got her PhD at Tulane. Louisiana’s high point is an Indian burial mound. 65 feet.
It is flat and it rains a lot, it has always flooded here. I think my house is 50 ft elevation and we are on a high spot. If we flood, everybody floods. I have lived here 30 years and it hasn’t even come close.
Are you implying that democrats lie?
Only because we gave up so much to the allow lesser states to come in...
;-)
You think this adminstration was going to send much federal dollars to Texas?
The city of Ames Iowa floods, it has happened 3 times in my lifetime. So they haul in dirt and continue to build on the flood plain.
Anyone have a thinking cap? Hint, the water still goes somewhere and floods..............
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