Ben Hall for Mayor of Houston | Issues

Addressing Houston’s Flooding Problem

Flooding may be inevitable in Houston, but it must be better managed. During the first 100 days of my administration, I will assemble a think tank of experts, engineers, first responders, and citizens to devise a comprehensive approach to dealing with this persistent problem. We must minimize the loss of life and property during flood events. A two-level approach will be developed: 1) immediate actions accomplishable within my first term, and 2) a long-term solution to address the problem. Below are initial suggestions to be considered/implemented.

Short-Term Flood Initiatives:

Implement a citywide flood warning system that incorporates first-responders and mechanical device to alert the traveling public to high water areas
Implement a concise and clear evacuation protocol for all low-lying areas in the city
Strategically designate and station quick flood response units to secure and block off flood-prone areas to protect the public from flood dangers
Explore better ways to ensure immediate access to FEMA flood maps to all affected Houstonians.

Long-Term Flood Initiative:

A permanent solution to Houston’s flooding problem is needed. I will explore the feasibility of developing a Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART) System to simultaneously address chronic flooding and traffic congestion problems. Such an approach has been successfully used to address similar problems in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Click on the following link for a documentary on this brilliant solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMpNN_vF4s. Funding for such a project would be sought from state and federal sources, including FEMA dollars and tollway revenue.

On The Issues: Flooding