What this is
Houston floods more frequently and severely than almost any major American city.
Houston floods more frequently and severely than almost any major American city. The region's flat terrain, clay-heavy soil, dense development, and exposure to Gulf storms create conditions where even moderate rainfall can cause significant flooding. The Harris County Flood Control District, the U.
S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Houston all play distinct but overlapping roles in managing flood risk and building flood protection infrastructure. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, billions of dollars were committed to new projects.
This guide explains how the system works and how decisions about flood control get made.
Why it matters
This is part of Our Environment — environment, climate, and the land we share.
How to dig in
- 1Start with the snapshot above to know what this is in a glance.
- 2Read through to understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
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By the numbers
Led byThe Change Lab
Counted from the Community Exchange connection graph.