More than 5 million Texans, or one in six people in the state, live or work in an area susceptible to flooding, according to a draft of the state’s…
More than 5 million Texans, or one in six people in the state, live or work in an area susceptible to flooding, according to is an effort to reduce the risk for those people by recommending solutions to harden Texas against floods and rising sea levels.
Climate change is increasing flood risks in Texas, bringing warmer temperatures that cause more water to evaporate from the land and oceans, leading to heavier rainfall. Climate change also intensifies hurricanes and sea level rise — all of which may cause river floods to become larger and more frequent.
One-fourth of the state’s land — roughly 67,000 square miles — either falls within the 100-year floodplain or the 500-year floodplain, according to the plan. And each of the state’s 254 counties has experienced at least one federally-declared flood disaster since 1953, according to the TWDB. Kirkle said the state doesn’t have a reliable source of revenue for flood projects unless state lawmakers approve additional funding each legislative session.TWDB is also asking lawmakers to implement a flood early warning system across the state, which they believe will help alert residents when to evacuate using social media, radio, and reverse 911 calls.
Because money is limited for flood projects, the regional groups recommended that the state give counties the authority to collect drainage fees in unincorporated areas — currently only cities can charge such fees. The regional groups argue this would help counties self-finance flood mitigation and drainage projects outside of city limits.
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