Texas is no stranger to hurricanes. In fact, the state has experienced more than its fair share of these storms. But none were as devastating as Harvey. Greater Houston was one of the areas hardest hit by the storm. The hurricane caused billions of dollars in damage and left many Texans homeless. Voss Law Firm has assisted many Texans through this difficult time to help them get back on their feet again, and resolve their insurance claims. The storm was so intense that weather experts call it a 500-year event.
However, this wording is meant to communicate that a storm of this magnitude is something that happens once every 500 years. Instead, it’s meant to show how likely a storm the size of Harvey is every year. In other words, Houston homeowners must be prepared for the possibility of another major flood in the near future. Homeowners need to take steps to protect their property, such as protecting their homes from floods and purchasing flood insurance. Those who experienced flooding during Harvey should also be aware that they may need to evacuate again in the future. While it is impossible to predict when another major storm will occur, being prepared can help reduce damage and facilitate the rebuilding process.
According to the Harris County Flood Control District, a total of 1 trillion gallons of water fell through Harris County during Hurricane Harvey. That’s enough to fill the NRG stadium more than 14 hundred times, or to run Niagara Falls for 15 days. When the rainfall totals were averaged, the county experienced nearly 70 percent of its total annual precipitation over a period of just 4 days. More than 60,000 Harris County residents have been saved using government resources, and tens of thousands more have been saved by volunteers. In addition, more than 154,000 homes in the county have been inundated, nearly 70 percent of those outside the 100-year floodplain. More than half of these homes did not have flood insurance. The district says previous flood control projects — including acquisitions — likely saved about 24,000 homes from floodwaters in Harvey.
Some experts warn that overdevelopment increases the likelihood of 500-year floods in places with booming populations like Houston. TexasMonthly asked Samuel Brody, director of the Texas A&M Beach and Beach Center, what Houston could do to prevent flooding from overdevelopment. “This may be the most important question. Houston is growing very fast.” Brody said, “The metro area added more than 100,000 people annually [as of 2018] the past two years. We are in real danger if we do not answer this question. Part of it will require an update of things that have already been built, and part of it will require restoring some ground. And we have to think hard about where we’re going in the future, how to get there in a more flood-resistant way. ”
As urban areas continue to grow, it is important that local governments plan efficiently for the potential for flooding. Building infrastructure with materials that are resistant to flood damage can help reduce the amount of damage that occurs during a flood event. Incentivizing developers to build metro areas closer to city centers, rather than further away, could help reduce the impact of flooding. By taking these steps, local governments can help reduce the devastating impact of floods on urban areas.
Hurricane Harvey was a devastating storm that left many people without electricity, food, or shelter. If you suffered damage or loss after a flood in your Texas home and were treated unfairly by the insurance company, contact an experienced insurance claims attorney to protect your legal rights and help increase your claim. To learn more, contact The Voss Law Firm, PC for a free consultation Using our contact form or by calling our office at 888-614-7730. Voss Law Firm, PC has been protecting the rights of policyholders for the past 16 years, recovering billions of dollars in settlements for our clients. We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case.
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