SURGE
The Impact of Houston Flooding
on Vulnerable Communities
IN 2017...
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas and Louisiana, stalling over Texas for several days and dumping record-breaking amounts of rain over Harris County and other coastal areas.
HARVEY WAS UNLIKE ANY
DISASTER BEFORE.
THE FLOODING IMPACT SURPASSED OTHER STORMS.
Percent of Registrants Impacted by Storm
VULNERABLE
COMMUNITIES ARE AT RISK...
AND MINORITY GROUPS ARE MORE AFFECTED.
Racial and ethnic minorities such as Black and Hispanic communities have higher rates of being renters in Houston than homeowners.
Hurricane Harvey affected rental units at a higher rate than owner-occupied units, adding to the challenges of these communities.
NOT ALL RELIEF IS EQUAL.
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services for necessary housing and needs-related expenses. Assistance cannot be processed until inspections take place, meaning that even with a valid registration many are still stuck waiting for aid. This aid was vital post-Harvey.
Despite having more registrations inspected, indicating a need for support, renters received far less financial support than homeowners. While renters cannot get support for rebuilding homes they do not own, their lower approval rate highlights the fact that renters likely did not receive funds for other needs.
FLOODPLAINS ARE STILL
BEING BUILT ON.
The chance of homes flooding in the 100-year floodplain in the span of 30 years.
The number of years of an average home mortgage.
About 2000 homes newly occupied Houston’s flood plains in 2019. While percentage of homes in the flood plain dropped, housing units did increase slightly. This puts Houstonians at risk.
Homes in the 100-year flood plain have a 1% chance of flooding in a given year while those in the 500-year flood plain have a 0.2% chance. Building on floodplains only exacerbates risk.
CHANGE IS HAPPENING...
WITH NEW PROJECTS IN THE WORKS.
NORTH CANAL DIVERSION CHANNEL
The North Canal Project is a $131 million project that will reduce the risk of flooding downtown and minimize flood damage to upstream areas along White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. The design is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025, then construction in the summer of 2026 through the end of 2029.
INWOOD FOREST STORMWATER DETENTION BASIN
Construction on the $80 million Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin began in May, with an anticipated completion in early 2026. The project will protect over 4,400 structures in the White Oak Bayou and Vogel Creek watersheds and will hold about 1,200 acre-feet of water.
FLOODING DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFINE HOUSTON.
Sources
The Washington Post. (2017, August 29). Harvey marks the most extreme rain event in U.S. history.
Weather Underground. (2018, December 8). 3 highest volume U.S. rainfall events on record have happened in the past 3 years.
Kinder Institute for Urban Research. (2020, August 25). Texas Flood Registry 2020 Report.
Kinder Institute for Urban Research. (2021, June 22). 2021 State of Housing: Harris County and Houston.
Kinder Institute for Urban Research. (2018, January 22). Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund Needs Assessment Phase Two.
Kinder Institute for Urban Research. (2021, July 7). Despite increasing risk, Harris County more people are living in flood plains.
Engage Houston. (2024, February 13). North Canal Project.
Harris County Flood Control District. (2023). C-59 Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project.