Houston Matters

Expert: Private Sector Should Play Bigger Role In Flood Management

Jim Blackburn from Rice University tells us why he thinks the private sector should be more involved in planning for future storms and flooding.

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An aerial view of the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, Aug. 31, 2017. Hurricane Harvey formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in southeastern Texas, bringing record flooding and destruction to the region. U.S. military assets supported FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts.
An aerial view of the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, Aug. 31, 2017. Hurricane Harvey formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in southeastern Texas, bringing record flooding and destruction to the region.

In the weeks since Harvey, we’ve been telling you how government agencies are planning for future storms. Now, a local expert says the private sector should get involved.

We talk with Jim Blackburn about what he envisions. He’s the co-director of Rice University’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center.

Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.

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