3 steps to make sure you’re ready for a flash flood
By David Vaughn, Engineering Program Specialist
Did you know flash flooding is the No. 1 cause of weather-related damage in Texas? Sadly, our great state often leads the nation in flood-related deaths.
As part of Texas Flood Awareness Week, the City of College Station reminds residents to be prepared. Heavy rain and coastal storms can overburden our drainage systems and structures and lead to flood events. Knowing what to do before, during, and after significant storms can prevent or limit property damage, injuries, and loss of life.
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. They can develop slowly or happen with little or no warning. In either case, staying informed and anticipating such events is essential.
If you live in a flood-prone or low-lying area, preparing for such emergencies is even more crucial. Here are three steps you can take today to make sure you’re ready:
1. Stay Informed
- Know your flood risk. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center online or call the Planning and Development Services Department (979-764-3570) and ask for a review engineer to learn more about your property.
- Learn and rehearse evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash-flood response.
- Monitor weather forecasts and be aware of signs of potential flooding, such as heavy rain.
2. Take Action
- Purchase flood insurance if necessary. It usually takes 30 days for a new insurance policy to go into effect, so it’s important to buy well before a disaster occurs.
- Make a photographic inventory of your valuables for insurance purposes.
- Keep valuable documents in a waterproof container and make digital copies when possible.
3. Gather Supplies
- Have a potable water supply that will last at least three days. You need one gallon of water per day for each person or pet in your household.
- Have enough non-perishable, ready-to-eat food to last at least three days. Examples include canned meat and beans, nuts, nut butters and spreads, dry cereals and granola, and protein bars.
- Keep structural supplies on hand such as sandbags, plywood or lumber, and plastic sheeting.
- Make sure your flashlights and lanterns have good batteries.
- Always have a well-stocked first-aid kit.
If you’re adequately prepared, you enhance your chances of staying safe and protecting your property. That’s what Texas Flood Awareness Week is all about.
About the Blogger
David Vaughn recently joined Planning and Development Services as an engineering program specialist. He previously worked as an environmental coordinator for FedEx Express from 2015-20. A native of Silsbee, David earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Sam Houston State in 2016.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Live Blog: Thursday’s city council meetings (March 23)
Back (L-R): Linda Harvell, Jerome Rektorik, James Benham, Barry Moore. Front (L-R): Blanche Brick, Mayor Karl Mooney, Julie Schultz.
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, March 23. It’s not the official minutes.
The meeting is being broadcast live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD) and online. An archive of previous council meetings is available on the website.
6:03 p.m.
The workshop has started.
6:17 p.m.
Consent Agenda Discussion
The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled these consent items for workshop discussion:
- All-Way Stop at Eagle-Alexandria: The city’s Traffic Management Team recommends adding an all-way stop at the Eagle Avenue-Alexandria Avenue intersection to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists near Creek View Elementary School. Data shows that the longest delay for northbound Alexandria traffic is 21 seconds per vehicle between 7-8 a.m. With the all-way stop, the average delay on all approaches at that time will be 10-12 seconds. Alexandria also has more vehicles in the morning peak time than Eagle, while the number of vehicles is similar the rest of the day.
- All-Way Stop at Graham-Alexandria/Schaffer: The city’s Traffic Management Team recommends adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Graham Road and Alexandria Avenue/Schaffer Road to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists near Cypress Grove Elementary School. Data shows that the longest delay for northbound Alexandria traffic with a two-way stop is about 51 seconds per vehicle in the worst conditions. The northbound approach has more than a three-minute delay between 7-8 a.m. With the all-way stop, the average delay in the morning peak will be 23 seconds and in the afternoon will be 16 seconds. Frequent crashes at the intersection also would be mitigated by an all-way stop.
6:26 p.m.
Audit Reports, Annual Financial Report
The council voted unanimously to accept the city’s annual audit reports and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the FY16 fiscal year. The reports summarize the organization’s financial position through Sept. 30.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:05 p.m.
Bee Creek Floodplain Management
The council discussed management of the Bee Creek floodplain.
Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:
7:13 p.m.
Mayor Karl Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.
7:23 p.m.
The regular meeting has started.
7:33 p.m.
World War I Remembrance Day
The mayor proclaimed April 6 as World War I Remembrance Day with a presentation to the Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee. More than 8,000 World War I veterans are buried in Brazos County, including 30 who died in the war. Pictured below are (L-R): Ellen Fuller, Gerry Hince, Greg Bailey, John Blair, Mayor Mooney, Pamela Marshall, Shawn Carlson, and Steve Beachy.
7:36 p.m.
183rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company
The mayor recognized the 183rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company that served in Vietnam. Veterans of the 183rd will have a major reunion March 30-April 2 in Bryan.
7:52 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Four people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.
- Ben Roper recognized Marine Cpl. Daniel R. Amaya as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 22-year-old Odessa native died April 11, 2004, from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
- Suzanne Droleskey, Mary Wells and Rachel Smith spoke against a requested replatting in the College Hills neighborhood.
7:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- A resolution directing publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2017; and providing an effective date.
- The renewal of a contract not to exceed $1.5 million with H&B Construction for electric system construction and maintenance labor.
- An amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding the single-stream recycling program that updates definitions and proper use of containers and includes assisted collections for disabled homeowners.
- Added an all-way stop at the intersection of Eagle Avenue and Alexandria Avenue.
- Added an all-way stop at the intersection of Graham Road and Alexandria Avenue/Schaffer Road.
- Removed parking along Luther Street West between FM 2818 and Marion Pugh Drive.
- Removed stopping, standing, and parking along Gilchrist Avenue near Williams Street.
- Prohibited U-Turns on Wellborn Road at the Wellborn Road and Harvey Mitchell Parkway interchange.
- A resolution declaring intention to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds from debt not to exceed $1.2 million for information technology and gateway improvement projects that were included in the FY17 Capital Improvements Program Budget.
8:05 p.m.
Rezoning for Harvey Road Apartments
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to Multi-Family and Natural Areas Protected for about 16 ½ acres along Harvey Road west of the Linda Lane intersection. The change will allow for the development of an apartment complex.
Here are the PowerPoint presentations:
8:07 p.m.
The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.
8:07 p.m.
Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, April 13.
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also been a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
5 things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (6 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Audits, Annual Financial Report: In the workshop, the council will receive the annual audit reports and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report that summarizes the city’s financial position.
- Bee Creek Floodplain: The council will have a workshop discussion about management of the Bee Creek floodplain.
- World War I Remembrance: The council will proclaim April 6 as World War I Remembrance Day with a presentation to the Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee.
- Traffic Movements: As part of the consent agenda, the council will consider changes to various traffic movements: Adding all-way stops at Eagle Avenue-Alexandria Avenue and Graham Road-Alexandria Avenue/Schaffer Road; removing parking along Luther Street between Harvey Mitchell Parkway and Marion Pugh Drive and along Gilchrist Drive near Williams Street; and prohibiting U-turns on Wellborn Road at the Harvey Mitchell Parkway interchange.
- Rezoning on SH 30: The council will consider rezoning about 16 ½ acres west of the State Highway 30-Linda Lane intersection to allow the construction of apartments.
The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channels 19 and 119 (HD), or online. The website includes an archive of previous council meetings. We’ll post a detailed live blog on this site.
Related Links:
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive volunteer work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Flood insurance premiums lower in College Station
By Donnie Willis, Environmental Engineer/Drainage Inspector
In July, the Texas Water Development Board evaluated the City of College Station’s floodplain management ordinances and enforcement practices to determine their effectiveness in meeting National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations.
The report found that College Station is one of the few communities with no issues.
In 1968, Congress created NFIP to help provide flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.
The program rates the City of College Station as a Class-7 Community, which results in lower flood insurance premiums. Our flood insurance rates are reduced 15 percent for structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas and 5 percent in 500-year areas. Preferred Risk Policies are already at reduced rates and don’t have additional premium reductions.
Flood insurance basics
Anywhere it rains, it can flood. And it only takes a few inches of water to cause major home damage. Since standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to know your flood insurance options.
Many people are under the misconception that they are ineligible for flood insurance because of where they live, or their mortgage status. But the truth is, most can get flood insurance if they live in or outside a floodplain, their property has flooded before, and even if their mortgage broker doesn’t require it.
The law requires flood insurance for property owners in high-risk areas, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, with a federally-backed mortgage. Also, if you’ve received a federal grant or loan for previous flood losses, you must have a flood policy to qualify for future aid.
For more details about flood insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov. To learn more about local floodplain management, visit cstx.gov/floodplains.
About the Author
Donnie Willis is in his 12th year as the City of College Station’s environmental engineer and drainage inspector. After 23 years in the U.S. Army, he served as the safety and environmental compliance manager at Trajen, Inc., from 2000-04. A native of Evans, La., Willis earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987 and an associate of science degree in occupational safety and health for Texas State Technical College in 1995.
Photo Credit: lightwise / 123RF Stock Photo
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
You can be properly insured ─ even in a floodplain
By Donnie Willis, Environmental Engineer
A flood can happen anywhere it rains, and only a few inches of water can cause major damage to your home.
Since standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to know your options. Despite common misconceptions, all homeowners, business owners and renters can get flood insurance regardless of whether they live in a floodplain or if their property has flooded before.
The City of College Station participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and is rated as a Class-7 Community, which means our residents pay lower flood insurance premiums. Rates are reduced 15 percent for structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas and 5 percent in Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Flood insurance is required for property owners living in a high-risk area ─ or special flood hazard area ─ with a federally-backed mortgage. If you’ve received a federal grant or loan for previous flood losses, you must have a flood policy to qualify for future aid.
