FLOODING
WHAT CAUSES FLOODING?
Some localized flooding occurs because older areas of town were built without sophisticated drainage systems designed to prevent flooding. When coupled with rainfall amounts that have steadily increased through the years, we are left with several areas of Pearland that flood nearly every time it rains.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PREVENT MORE FLOODING?
New developments are required to include larger storm sewer pipes and storm water detention systems that can hold large volumes of water. These systems are built with the intention to prevent the new development from flooding, but are not intended to fix existing problems.
MY THOUGHTS
Pearland needs to invest in regional storm water detention ponds that are designed to not only offset the impacts of new development, but to also address existing problems. In addition, older, antiquated storm sewer systems throughout town should be rebuilt so that water drains away from homes instead of ponding in the streets. Currently, there are only three drainage projects included in the City of Pearland’s five-year capital improvement plan. That is not sufficient. I believe Pearland should be more aggressive about resolving these predictable flooding issues.