2.5 - Houston Flooding

Question 1

Physical Causes Of Houston Flooding

Answer 1

Houston lies in Hurricane path on the SE coast, meaning increased risk to storms.
Unprecedented levels of rainfall in short space of time
Climate Change - Storms become more frequent/severe.

Question 2

Human Causes Of Houston Flooding

Answer 2

Transport improvement/RUM/Urban Sprawl result in increased housing density in riskiest areas near the coast.
Deforestation and concrete over wetlands remove Houston’s buffer to flooding, reducing interception and absorption, and increased SRO.

Question 3

Political/Engineering Causes Of Houston Flooding

Answer 3

Local officials ignored building regulations allowing for increased building in risky locations
Lack of investment into flooding
Outdated infrastructure - flooding isn’t prioritised
Strong resistance from property developers to focus on environmental restoration.

Question 4

Boomtown Red Hat

Answer 4

Big enough storm to pummel brick homes
$1bn in damage its quite significant for Houston
Urbanisation has led to less deep infiltration/evapotranspiration, meaning more SRO.