We didn't need any reminders, but we got one. Yesterday's flooding event has again brought the problem—a major problem—to the fore. It affects all parts of the City, and indeed neighborhoods all throughout our region. We've been steadily working at it, systematically prioritizing and addressing the areas of greatest need at a fairly consistent pace. We've made some progress, but yesterday morning's deluge reminds us once again just how much work we have left to do. Streets were impassable all over town and in some cases, thankfully few, flood-prone homes were hit for the second or even third time in less than two years. According to the Harris County Flood Control District, Bellaire got more rain in a two hour period yesterday than we got in the Memorial Day flood of 2015, and our area was among the hardest hit anywhere in the County.
We know it's unacceptable for an entire city to shut down just because it rains, hurricanes and tropical storms excepted (by “city” I mean Greater Houston; obviously it’s not just us). But we also know the solution takes time. And money. It's reasonable to pose the question to ourselves as a community: Are we doing enough, fast enough? I take this opportunity to recap where we are with our drainage work, as we consider that pressing question.
