News
How climate change drives inland floods
Posted on · As the Earth heats up, heavy rain is getting more common across the United States. That means more severe floods happen more often.
Tag: flooding
Houston Matters
A billion dollar county bond measure, and rebuilding after Harvey (Aug. 2, 2022)
Posted on · On Tuesday's show: Will a billion dollar bond measure go before Harris County voters for approval in November? Then, City Council Member Letitia Plummer answers your questions. And we begin a four-part series reflecting on lessons from Hurricane Harvey, five years later.
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.
Houston Matters
Ike Dike bills moving closer to reality, and Houston pet peeves (Aug. 1, 2022)
Posted on · On Monday's show: What needs to happen for the long-sought-after Ike Dike/coastal barrier project to become reality after the U.S. House and Senate both passed bills containing it? Also: Houstonians share their pet peeves, and we discuss the high cost of going to an Astros game.
Transportation
Some Houston residents skeptical of TxDOT plan to raise part of I-10
Posted on · The $347 million proposed project aims to reduce flooding risks on part of the freeway by elevating it and installing a detention pond underneath.
Houston Matters
State and federal environmental agencies in conflict over renewal permits for ITC (July 20, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: The company responsible for a major chemical fire in 2019 is seeking an operating permit for a Pasadena facility. We learn why the state and the federal government have different opinions on the matter.
Houston Matters
Flooding and pollution in minority communities, and the impact of minority-owned businesses (June 30, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: Increased flooding across the country is exposing more people to industrial waste, especially those in minority communities. Plus, a new report examines the impact of minority-owned businesses on the region's economy. And a Houston teacher is honored at the Tony Awards.
Hurricane
U.S. House approves massive $31 billion “Ike Dike” project to protect Texas coast from hurricanes
Posted on · The U.S. House voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for the massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay, but funding is not yet secured.
Houston Matters
Gymnasts sue the FBI, and returning to the office (June 9, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: Gymnasts suing the FBI over its handling of the Larry Nassar case, the state of mobility for cyclists, coming back to the office after years of remote working, and Houston's relationship with catastrophic flooding.
Texas
Seven ways climate change is already hitting Texans
Posted on · Extreme weather events, water scarcity, risks of illness: Climate change is here, and it’s already affecting Texans.
Hurricane Harvey
New Texas plan for federal Hurricane Harvey aid yields same old result: Funds diverted away from Gulf Coast
Posted on · Despite an admonition from federal authorities, Land Commissioner George P. Bush’s plan still steers aid disproportionately to whiter, inland counties at less risk of natural disasters.
Houston Matters
Lessons from the freeze and power failure one year later (Feb. 15, 2022)
Posted on · We reflect on the anniversary of last year’s freeze and massive and sustained power outages and discuss what -- if anything -- has been done to better prepare the Texas energy grid for such events.
Houston Matters
The latest on the winter weather, and the benefits of stormwater tunnels (Feb. 4, 2022)
Posted on · On Friday's show: We get an update on winter weather conditions and discuss whether underground stormwater tunnels will help prevent flooding in Houston.
Houston Matters
Adding more prosecutors, staying in flood-prone areas, and actor Kal Penn (Jan. 13, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: The case for more prosecutors at the DA's office, a new book follows several Houston families repeatedly rocked by flooding, and actor Kal Penn talks about his career and about changing the way Indian-Americans are depicted in TV and film.
Politics
Texas landlords must now disclose flood risk information to renters. Housing experts say it doesn’t go far enough
Posted on · Housing experts say the new law is a good first step to inform renters of flood risk, but will need more work in the future.