Why is FEMA re-mapping Fort Bend County? Is it because of Hurricane Katrina?
FEMA is revising the flood maps for Fort Bend County as part of their National Map Modernization Program which was started several years ago, said a FEMA representative. “The initiative is to update outdated maps for flood plain management purposes,” she said. “The issue of whether the levee provides base flood protection needs to be addressed” in the map modernization process, it says on the FEMA website.
Based on population growth and other criteria, Fort Bend County was selected to undergo map revisions about three years ago, said an employee with the Fort Bend Drainage District, well before Hurricane Katrina struck southwest Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005.
When was the last time FEMA mapped Fort Bend County?
The last floodplain study done for Fort Bend County was thirty years ago and utilized less accurate methods and technology. New Lidar data provides true ground elevations so the new maps will be very accurate.
Is the Brazos River getting higher and is New Territitory at more risk of flooding?
According to the Brazos River Authority’s measurements taken of the river height, river levels at Richmond have been stable over the last ten years, said a BRA representative. Flood stage at the Richmond location (the Brazos River Bridge) is 48 feet gage height. A 50-foot height is considered a major flood stage. The last time the Brazos River reached a 50 foot level was in 1994, said the spokesperson. The levees were not breeched during that event, she said. “There’s only been a handful of times in the last forty years that it has reached these stages,” she said.
Why do the levees have to be raised?
A study by FEMA contractor Michael Baker finds that the levees, designed to protect against a 100-year storm event, would be unable to do so. In other words, the levees must protect against a 1% annual chance of flood. So, in the 1% chance that we experience an extreme event, our area might flood.
What safety mechanisms are launched when the River approaches 48 feet?
The LID’s Operator, ECO Resources, implements emergency measures such as ensuring that the generators are well fueled in case of power outages so that the pumps can continue to work pumping water out of lakes and Ellis Creek. They make sure the flood gates are closed to prevent high water levels in the Brazos River from filling up Ellis Creek.
Should I get flood insurance?
FEMA does not require homeowners in New Territory to have flood insurance at this time but it is the only policy which will provide you with coverage (up to $250,000 for building repairs and $100,000 for contents) in the unlikely event that the area floods. Your basic homeowner’s policy does not provide coverage for damage due to flooding. It takes 30 days for flood insurance to go into effect so your home will not be covered if you purchase it shortly before a major storm event that results in flooding.
How can I get information about river levels?
For a 31-day graph and statistics of river levels and precipitation, as well as real-time data, measured at the Richmond site, go to:www.brazos.org and click on water levels and then river levels. Click on the part of the river in the lower basin.
This last month, the Brazos River at Richmond reached a maximum height of 42.5 feet for a few days in early June. Based on the last four years of records, the median height at the Richmond location is 12.66 feet.
FEMA is revising the flood maps for Fort Bend County as part of their National Map Modernization Program which was started several years ago, said a FEMA representative. “The initiative is to update outdated maps for flood plain management purposes,” she said. “The issue of whether the levee provides base flood protection needs to be addressed” in the map modernization process, it says on the FEMA website.
Based on population growth and other criteria, Fort Bend County was selected to undergo map revisions about three years ago, said an employee with the Fort Bend Drainage District, well before Hurricane Katrina struck southwest Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005.
When was the last time FEMA mapped Fort Bend County?
The last floodplain study done for Fort Bend County was thirty years ago and utilized less accurate methods and technology. New Lidar data provides true ground elevations so the new maps will be very accurate.
Is the Brazos River getting higher and is New Territitory at more risk of flooding?
According to the Brazos River Authority’s measurements taken of the river height, river levels at Richmond have been stable over the last ten years, said a BRA representative. Flood stage at the Richmond location (the Brazos River Bridge) is 48 feet gage height. A 50-foot height is considered a major flood stage. The last time the Brazos River reached a 50 foot level was in 1994, said the spokesperson. The levees were not breeched during that event, she said. “There’s only been a handful of times in the last forty years that it has reached these stages,” she said.
Why do the levees have to be raised?
A study by FEMA contractor Michael Baker finds that the levees, designed to protect against a 100-year storm event, would be unable to do so. In other words, the levees must protect against a 1% annual chance of flood. So, in the 1% chance that we experience an extreme event, our area might flood.
What safety mechanisms are launched when the River approaches 48 feet?
The LID’s Operator, ECO Resources, implements emergency measures such as ensuring that the generators are well fueled in case of power outages so that the pumps can continue to work pumping water out of lakes and Ellis Creek. They make sure the flood gates are closed to prevent high water levels in the Brazos River from filling up Ellis Creek.
Should I get flood insurance?
FEMA does not require homeowners in New Territory to have flood insurance at this time but it is the only policy which will provide you with coverage (up to $250,000 for building repairs and $100,000 for contents) in the unlikely event that the area floods. Your basic homeowner’s policy does not provide coverage for damage due to flooding. It takes 30 days for flood insurance to go into effect so your home will not be covered if you purchase it shortly before a major storm event that results in flooding.
How can I get information about river levels?
For a 31-day graph and statistics of river levels and precipitation, as well as real-time data, measured at the Richmond site, go to:www.brazos.org and click on water levels and then river levels. Click on the part of the river in the lower basin.
This last month, the Brazos River at Richmond reached a maximum height of 42.5 feet for a few days in early June. Based on the last four years of records, the median height at the Richmond location is 12.66 feet.
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