After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the city of Houston passed legislation and began implementing programs in order to adapt to the threat of climate change. The city passed tougher building codes, offered more buyouts for flood-prone homes and budgeted billions of dollars in new funding for flood control. Less than a month ago, Tropical Storm Imelda hit and flooded at least 1,700 homes in Houston and surrounding Harris County. The widespread destruction of the storm has now raised tough questions: Were the efforts able enough to make a difference and can cities act quickly enough for what’s coming?
As the climate changes, disasters are becoming more frequent and devastating around the world. As the storms hit, and the damage increases, we are left with less time to act before the next disaster. Linda Hidalgo, the top elected official in Harris County, says “It’s a race against time. We’re being battered.” in regards to the devastation of the last few years from disasters in Houston. After Imelda struck Houston, Harris County had faced one 500-year rainfall event and two 100-year rainfall events since 2016.
After Hurricane Harvey, Houston and Harris County instantly implemented a new protocol for these climate change disasters. Harris County increased its fleet of high-water rescue vehicles by 160 percent, making it easier to reach people trapped by flooding. This immediate action helped save countless lives one Imelda made contact this year. However, actions have to be taken in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the storms, and Houston and Harris County have both lost millions of dollars as a result of poor planning.
In August 2018, Harris County voters approved a $2.5 billion bond to fund large-scale infrastructure projects, such as deepening drainage canals or building pits to store rainwater, projects which often take years to complete. Most of these projects are still in the design phase to this day. Many of the projects require new environmental permits and the acquisition of property rights. Furthermore, the city of Houston only recently repaired one-quarter of the flood infrastructure damaged by Harvey when Imelda hit and now must manage a ten-fold increase in spending to protect the infrastructure for the next disaster.
The city of Houston has suffered greatly in the last few years from flooding disasters. The city has lost lives, families have lost homes, the cities have been ravaged, and many have lost the bulk of their savings to rebuild their lives. As climate change continues to affect our livelihood, we must choose if we will adapt or attempt to overcome the devastation in the aftermath. I believe this article makes it clear that we are all susceptible to the damage that disasters resulting from climate change will have in new environments across the country, and that we must prepare ourselves by taking all precautions to adapt and protect ourselves.
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