06-23-08 Drainage and Flooding Committee Minutes

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The Klotz report notes that the Brookglen subdivision has many homes that experienced flooding during Tropical Storms Allison and Erin. These two events were heavy rain events that overwhelmed the storm sewers. Rainwater flows into the West Plantation Ditch from the neighborhood streets through pipes that vary in size from 24 to 30 inches, and the water ponds in the cul-de-sac or streets located north or south of the channel. Recommendations for reducing this ponding made in the report are discussed in the mitigation measures section of this report. IV. Flooding Experiences of Property Owners As mentioned in Step 1, the letter about the area analysis to the residents living in the Brookglen Analysis Area from the City of La Porte included a data sheet. This data sheet offered residents the opportunity to provide the UNO-CHART Team with details about their flooding experiences, and to voice their concerns regarding flooding-related issues. Of the 70 properties to which letters were sent, 20 residents responded, achieving a response rate of approximately 29%. The homeowners who returned a data sheet to UNO-CHART have offered some insight into the flooding problem. Most of the respondents have moved to the neighborhood since 2000, and all reported having either flooded or having a water problem. The most prevalent years for flooding were 2001 and 2007, Tropical Storms Allison and Erin. Most respondents reported low depth, short duration flooding, having less than one foot of water inside their house for fewer than 12 hours. Finally, while few respondents reported using a flood protection measure to protect their property, all of the respondents were interested in learning about mitigation. The detailed results are organized in Table 2-2. The following general conclusions can be drawn from the resident's comments: . During heavy rain events, the West Plantation drainage ditch overflows and floods the neighborhood. . Floodwaters have reached halfway between the street and houses 10 - 12 times over the last several years. . Residents are concerned that with increased development in La Porte and in neighboring cities, their risk of flooding will increase. . According to the residents, the drainage ditches are not kept clean and clear of debris. Increasing Development: Residents expressed concerns over the increasing development in La Porte and the surrounding cities. This is a topic often of concern to floodplain managers and to residents of rapidly growing areas. The City of Deer Park is located just north of the study area, across Spencer Highway. Both residential and commercial development is occurring in Deer Park, within close proximity to the Brookglen neighborhood. The recent development occurring just outside of the Brookglen neighborhood includes several detention ponds tat should mitigate the effects of the construction. However, according to residents, these detention ponds fill quickly, and then the neighborhood continues to flood. Figure 2-7 shows the recent development along Spencer Highway, the main road outside of the Brookg1en subdivision. Brookglen Area Analysis - DRAFT 12 9/8/2008