Hurricane Harvey and Houston

To Friends and Fellow Houstonians,

Now that hurricane Harvey is almost behind us, first of all I want to thank all the people - 1^st responders, police, coast guard, volunteers, FEMA, emergency management, rescuers, shelter providers, Red Cross, donors, and on and on - for a tremendous job and team spirit helping thousands of victims of this disaster.  It makes Houston proud and sets an example for the nation.

Having said that, a question lingers in my mind.  I have lived in this area for a long time.  Hurricane is nothing new to us.  Hurricane season comes every year.  Every 8 – 10 years we also experience a major devastating hurricane causing flooding and destruction.  Since Carla, Camille, we have had many such hurricanes, not to speak of the ugliness of Katrina that the whole world had witnessed.  Yet our approach to such recurring natural disaster has been reactionary.  We only wake up around hurricane season and spend billions of dollars to rebuild, to save lives, and watch the disaster unfold in disbelief.  Insurance companies dole out millions and then they have to raise premium. 

Could we not think about somewhat of a long term solution to such annual tragic episodes?  Could we not spend this kind of money for a better answer?  Specifically for Houston, could we not add one or two more reservoirs like Addicks and Barker so that we don’t have to release water for fear of a breach and then cause more flooding?  Could we cut more bayous for drainage to avoid overflow of existing bayous?  Could we not add more pumps to pump out access flood water (including that from reservoir and bayous) and dispose it may be 100 miles away through a pipeline system in open land or prairie?  No, I am no expert in this matter.  But I am an engineer and I firmly believe every problem has a solution; may not be perfect, but it could be lot better than what we have today.  It can minimize human miseries and loss of lives.  Should we continue on the same path, wait for the next major hurricane, and jump through the hoop again?  I earnestly request the city of Houston, Harris County, and the state leaders put their heads together for a long term solution.  Otherwise, it may be de ja vue all over again someday.