HOUSTON, Texas — Houstonians are no strangers to the concept of flooding, from minor rainstorms that delay the evening commute to extreme events where floodwaters are measured in feet and inundate area homes and businesses. Flooding is of particular concern in Meyerland, which sits along Brays Bayou and is home to thousands of families who love where they live. But these families are also prepared for water to flood their homes at any time with heavy rain in the forecast.
When it comes to flooding here in southeast Texas, studies show how the effects of climate change could make floods not only more frequent, but more severe. And in Meyerland, one of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by flooding over the years.
Michele Meicler has lived in Meyerland all her life, but she says her house had never flooded before the Memorial Day flood of 2015. It’s been in her family for generations, dating back to the 1960s. Meicler says after the first flood in 2015, it happened again with the Tax Day Flood of 2016 and Harvey in 2017. She describes how each of the three floods was different in the way her home flooded, but still had to start from scratch after each one.
“Flood one, I didn’t learn anything. Did I? It was just like a deer in the headlights. Like, what are you doing? You know, flood two, I learned how to pick out fixtures and appliances and cupboards and, you know, plumbing and things like that. And then flood three was just, let’s do it again,” Meicler said. “Although the third time was the worst because I had, you know, three feet of water. I mean, it was, you know, a little bit harder mentally to see everything around you being destroyed.”
Andrea Kawaja, who owns Afloat Insurance in Houston, understands the challenges people face when trying to find and afford flood insurance. Noting that floods are like snowflakes, Kawaja encourages customers to purchase flood insurance even if their homes have never flooded.
There are nearly 900,000 homes and businesses in southeast Texas that have an 80% or greater chance of flooding by 2053. But as many as 44% of these properties may not have flood insurance. There are several reasons for this.
One is the cost of flood insurance.
“Oh my God, if I didn’t have flood insurance, I’d be living with my parents again or something. Just the house was destroyed,” said Meicler. “I had to gut my house three times.”
Another is getting a policy at all. Some large, private companies will not write policies in Harris County because the risk is too high.
“FEMA will not turn down a house. They’re writing all the homes, whereas the private insurance companies are picking and choosing who they want to underwrite,” Kawaja said.
There are even resources for small business owners who rent space. Kawaja says that in some cases you can buy flood insurance for the property, or at least find coverage for the contents of your business.
And it’s worth noting that FEMA’s flood maps, which show the risk a property could face from flooding, aren’t updated consistently. In Meyerland, FEMA updated the flood maps in 2019. Some maps in southeast Texas haven’t been updated since 2007, so homeowners may think they’re safe, but they could be at greater risk of flooding than they know.
The best way to prepare for future flooding is to learn about the flood risk in your neighbourhood and buy flood insurance. And for many flood-prone communities, it’s not a question of if, but when the next flood will occur.
When asked what he would do if Houston flooded again, Meicler said, “I would probably rebuild and not move. This is my home.
