Hurricane Harvey was a seminal moment in the history of Houston. Five years later, where do things stand? “Below the Waterlines: Houston after Hurricane Harvey” is a multi-media project that looks at how well our region has recovered and how prepared it is for the next storm. Houston Public Media has produced a five-part podcast, an eight-part radio series, a one-hour radio documentary, and written web stories for each episode that pull together data analysis, photos, and videos on topics ranging from green infrastructure solutions to home buyouts. Find all five episodes and read each story below. Email us your feedback and ideas for follow-up stories as we continue to cover flooding in the Houston region.
Below the Waterlines
Episode 5 – Below The Waterlines
Posted on · Listen to a bonus episode of Below The Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey.
Below the Waterlines
Pace of Harris County home buyouts slower than hoped for after Hurricane Harvey
Posted on · Growing flood risk due to climate change and urban development is intensifying the need for buyouts in Harris County.
Below the Waterlines
Flood control goes green: How Houston is using nature to combat flooding
Posted on · From floating wetlands to an abandoned golf course-turned-nature preserve, innovative green solutions to reduce flooding are being tested in Houston.
Below the Waterlines
Five years after Harvey, a solution to the flood threat from the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs remains a long way off
Posted on · The most popular solution to the flooding threat from the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs is a massive underground stormwater tunnel. It would cost billions of dollars and remains more than a decade away from the start of construction.
Below the Waterlines
How Houston has changed five years after Hurricane Harvey
Posted on · Five years after Hurricane Harvey, major flood mitigation projects in Houston are still waiting on federal money, in order for construction to begin.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen to extended conversations and get a behind the scenes glimpse at the making of the show. Subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts.
Related coverage from Houston Public Media
Infrastructure
GLO to offer grace period to Harris County as it works to meet Harvey recovery deadline
Posted on · Harris County has until August 2026 to use Hurricane Harvey relief funds, or the money will go back to the state.
Flooding
Addicks and Barker Reservoirs homeowners have limited options to sue if their homes flood again
Posted on · Wording in a court judgment prevents homeowners in the giant reservoirs west of Houston from suing the federal government in future floods and could place a heavier burden on lower-income residents.
Harris County
Jack Cagle names flood mitigation as Harris County’s biggest challenge as he prepares to step down
Posted on · The outgoing Republican commissioner for Precinct 4 named road and parks construction and increased disaster readiness among his proudest accomplishments in office.
Flooding
Addicks, Barker Reservoir upstream judgment excludes homeowners who bought post-Harvey
Posted on · Under the ruling, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won’t have to compensate homeowners who bought their property after August 30, 2017 if the land floods again.
Flooding
Greens Bayou watershed continues to suffer from frequent flooding five years after Hurricane Harvey
Posted on · Harris County is attempting to improve flood control infrastructure in the high-poverty, densely populated region, but long-time residents are skeptical things will change anytime soon.
Flooding
Upstream Addicks and Barker Reservoir homeowners win $550,000 in damages in lawsuit over Harvey flooding
Posted on · The suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opens the door to suits by an estimated 10,000 other upstream homeowners, with the potential for total damages of well over $1 billion.
Houston Matters
Battleship Texas prepares to set sail, and reporting on Harvey’s aftermath (Aug. 30, 2022)
Posted on · On Tuesday’s show: We learn about plans this week to move the Battleship Texas to Galveston for repairs. Then News 88.7 reporters reflect on creating the podcast Below the Waterlines. And we revisit a conversation with musician Steve Earle.
Literature
Range of literary works examine Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath
Posted on · The catastrophic storm and its impact have been chronicled and analyzed in memoirs, children's books, photo collections and scholarly works.
I SEE U
I SEE U, Episode 55: Feeding Souls During Harvey
Posted on · Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Greene reminisces about the challenges faced during Hurricane Harvey while distributing food and supplies to those in need as well as his decision to move to Houston after leading food recovery efforts in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina
Houston Matters
The biggest lesson from Harvey: It will happen again (Aug. 26, 2022)
Posted on · On Friday’s show: We conclude our week of conversations about lessons learned five years after Hurricane Harvey with one final lesson to impart: It will happen again, so we all better be ready.
Houston Matters
How Harvey taught us every storm is different (Aug. 25, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday’s show: We continue our discussions of lessons learned five years after Harvey. Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett joins us to contemplate how every storm presents a unique set of challenges for the region.
Houston Matters
The slow process of disaster recovery, five years after Harvey (Aug. 24, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday’s show: We break down the latest developments in the world of poltics. Then we discuss flood mitigation efforts five years after Harvey and reflect on the slow pace of recovery from such a disaster.