FLOODING

WHAT CAUSES FLOODING?

Some localized flooding occurs because older areas of town were built without sophisticated drainage systems designed to prevent flooding.  Couple that with rainfall amounts that have steadily increased through the years, and 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

We need to invest in regional storm water detention ponds that are designed to not only offset the impacts of new development but also help to address existing problems.  In addition, we need to rebuild older, antiquated storm sewer systems throughout town so that the 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 5-year capital improvement plan.  That is not sufficient. I would like Pearland to be more aggressive about resolving these predictable flooding issues.