Environment
BY HANNAH NORTON
Texas’ first statewide flood plan says 5 million people at risk
Texas officials adopted the state’s first-ever roadmap to reduce flood risks Aug. 15. The inaugural statewide flood plan finds that over 5 million Texans live or work in flood-prone areas and recommends over $54.5 billion for flood management solutions. State lawmakers tasked the Texas Water Devel- opment Board with creating the plan in 2019, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. “Planning, in the long term, is going to save lives; it’s going to protect people; it’s going to reduce misery, ... not just in monetary costs but also in human suffering,” said Reem Zoun, the director of flood planning for the TWDB. The details The plan includes findings from 15 regional flood planning groups, which have been working since October 2020, and makes several recom- mendations for state and local flood policies. “Although flooding has certain benefits, like
recharging groundwater and providing vital nutrients to ecosystems and agricultural lands, it remains a significant threat to the health and safety of Texans,” the plan reads. “Each of the state’s 254 counties has experienced at least one federally declared flood disaster, proof that floods can affect all areas of Texas.” Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths, about 70% of which occur at low-water crossings or on other flooded roadways, the plan noted. The board asked the Texas Legislature to expand early warning systems for floods, create minimum building and infrastructure standards to reduce fatalities and property damage, improve low-water crossing safety, and enhance dam and levee safety programs. The TWDB was set to submit its plan to the Texas Legislature by Sept. 1. Lawmakers are expected to consider the recommendations when drafting the state budget and policies next year.
Flood risks Around 1 in 6 Texans live or work in flood- prone areas, the Texas Water Development Board found. Over one-fourth of Texas’ land area is vulnerable to flooding.
5.22M people
1.66M buildings
63,900 miles of roads
1.29M homes
12.65M acres of agricultural land
6,258 hospitals, EMS departments, fire stations, police stations and schools
SOURCE: TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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