What this is
A Houston-specific guide to understanding flood zones, flood insurance, bayou infrastructure, and what to do before, during, and after a flood -- with lessons from Hurricane Harvey.
Houston sits on flat coastal prairie with clay soil that repels water instead of absorbing it. The city is crossed by 22 bayous that carry stormwater to Galveston Bay. When rain falls faster than bayous can drain -- and in Houston, it regularly does -- streets flood, homes flood, lives are disrupted.
Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dropped 60 inches of rain in 4 days, flooded 300,000 structures, and caused $125 billion in damage. The Harris County Flood Control District manages 2,500 miles of bayous and channels. After Harvey, voters approved a $2.
5 billion bond to fund 181 flood mitigation projects across the county. This guide helps you understand your specific risk and what you can do about it.
Why it matters
This is part of Our Environment — environment, climate, and the land we share.
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