If you live in Houston, it's not IF your neighborhood floods, it's WHEN. Here's the practical guide every Houston resident needs.
The bayou system: Houston is flat and built on clay soil that doesn't absorb water. The entire drainage system relies on bayous — Buffalo Bayou, Brays Bayou, White Oak Bayou, Sims Bayou, and dozens of smaller channels. When it rains 6+ inches in a few hours, the bayous overflow. That's the whole story.
Check your flood risk:
- Harris County Flood Control District map: hcfcd.org/interactive-mapping-tools
- FEMA flood maps: msc.fema.gov
- Your real estate agent may not have told you, but you can check if your house has flooded before at harriscountyfws.org
Flood prep:
- Sandbags: Harris County distributes free sandbags before major storms at fire stations. Check hcfcd.org for distribution points.
- Important documents: Keep copies in a waterproof container on the highest shelf in your house. Passport, insurance policy, birth certificates.
- Water and food: 3-day supply minimum. The stores empty out when a storm is announced.
- Gas up your car BEFORE the storm. Stations run out.
During flooding:
- TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN. Do not drive into standing water. 6 inches of moving water can knock you down. 12 inches can carry a car. Every major flood in Houston kills people who drove into water.
- Houston Emergency Management: houstonemergency.org and 713-884-4500
- If you need rescue: Call 911. If 911 is overwhelmed, the Cajun Navy and local volunteer groups deploy on social media.
After Harvey: Harvey in 2017 dropped 60 inches of rain on parts of Houston. It exposed every weakness in the city's infrastructure. The Harris County Flood Control District has since completed or started $2.5 billion in bond projects. It's better. It's not fixed.
Source: Harris County Flood Control District, FEMA, NWS Houston, personal experience from Harvey and every flood since
Gas stations running out before storms is real. Fill up when you hear the first forecast. Don't wait until it's announced on the news.