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In a flat city not too high above sea level, draining the streets is always a challenge. Houston Public Works Director Daniel Kruger says the water has to be funneled into bayous and streams using storm drains.
Many of Houston’s streets are designed to further channel water and they can handle up to two inches of rain an hour.
But when a storm like Ike or Allison rolls in, many thoroughfares are rendered impassable, and Kruger says drivers only make things worse when they try to go down streets they can’t even see.
“Please be patient. If you can take a detour to go around it, please do. Other than that, depending on what your situation is, if you need to park and stop and walk, wait it out, what have you.”
Appearing on Houston Matters, Kruger says residents should call the city’s 311 help line if they see high water spilling beyond the public right-of-way, or if water ponds in the street and doesn’t drain.
“Certainly if there is water retained that has entered their structure, their residence or business, we would want to know that.”
The city is currently doing a drainage survey as part of the ReBuild Houston initiative, which outlines public works projects over the next ten years.
Houston Public Works Director Daniel Kruger (left) appeared on Houston Matters along with ReBuild Houston Executive Dale Rudick.
