Droughts and Floods in Texas

Texas has all types of extreme weather from long droughts to floods. It’s important for Texans to be aware of their surroundings and have a plan on how they’ll deal with unexpected changes, before and after they occur.

Droughts are nothing new to Texas. More than 36% of Texas is currently in a drought, affecting over 210,000 Texans. Since 2000, Texans have witnessed 10 category D4 droughts (the most severe). Droughts are common in Texas, but so is flooding. Texas holds 6 of the 12 highest rainfall amounts ever recorded in a 24-hour period in the world. Texas leads the nation in flood-related damages almost every year. 

The most recent flood in Harris County came in 2019. Tropical storm Imelda flooded 3,990 homes in Harris County, the third-most ever flooded in a single event. Texans are seemingly at threat from droughts and flooding year-round. 

SJRA FLOOD MANAGEMENT DIVISION: 

Located at the Lake Conroe Dam, the Flood Management Division’s primary functions include: developing short-term and long-term regional flood management strategies within the Authority’s portion of the San Jacinto River; building partnerships with federal, state, and local government entities; identifying funding sources and opportunities; and coordinating, collaborating, and potentially partnering with other flood management entities throughout the entire San Jacinto River Basin. The Flood Management Division oversees the partnership and implementation of planned and funded projects, including the transfer of operations and maintenance of completed projects to partnering entities.