Mitigation Best Practices

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – As floodwaters ravaged the state of Texas during Memorial Day weekend 2015, the water pumps in Simonton were hard at work protecting the city.

The city of Simonton in Fort Bend County, Texas, had been plagued by flooding in the past, but escaped the flood waters of the Brazos River during this recent event largely because of its drainage pumps.

MERCER ISLAND, WA - Mercer Island in Lake Washington is a busy community with a population of 22,000 and high median income. Located east of Seattle, it is accessed only by the Interstate 90 floating bridge. The islanders are totally dependant on two above-ground steel water reservoirs, four million gallon capacity each, as their main water source. This water supply is also essential for fire fighting.

GULFPORT, MS – Legacy Towers stands approximately 150 feet tall on the beach facing the Gulf of Mexico. These new luxury condominiums withstood the powerful 30-foot storm surge and winds of more than 140 miles per hour when Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005.

FORESTVILLE, CA - Wayne Gibb lives on a quiet street about a quarter of a mile from the banks of the Russian River. But when the rain-swollen river jumped its banks in 1986, Gibb's backyard was flooded with more than 5 feet of water, and the floodwaters poured into more than 30 houses on the block.

WAYNE COUNTY, MI - Located in southeastern Michigan, Wayne County frequently experiences severe weather and tornadoes. In 1997, a dangerous tornado moved through parts of Detroit and the surrounding suburbs of Highland Park and Hamtramck injuring 90 persons. It was the most costly tornado the State had experienced, with damages estimated at $90 million. The tornado traveled nearly 5 miles and was 2,500 yards wide. The tornado was part of an outbreak of 13 tornadoes in southeastern Michigan, the largest number for a single day since records have been kept.

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – For the last 25 years, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, has consistently ranked among the top two cancer care hospitals in the nation, according to a survey published by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital’s staff of more than 19,000 treat an average of 114,000 patients a year from around the world.

KEY WEST, FL - The Duval Beach Club sits on the only natural stretch of beach in Key West. In 2005, it was hit by Hurricanes Rita and Wilma. Thanks to the mitigation efforts initiated by the restaurant’s owner, Fred Tillman, worries about flood damage have been reduced.

“We’ve been through seven storms…and so far, we’ve sustained little to no serious damage,” noted Mr. Tillman.

VILLA GROVE, IL - Located along the Embarras River, Villa Grove, a small town of only 2,553 residents, is prone to flash floods as well as river flooding. The Jordan Slough and the Embarrass River are of significant relevance. In 1994, there was a flood of record, which warranted coverage by CNN. It was during this event that Jackie Athey, City Clerk for Villa Grove, found herself in a quandary as to how to handle the flood.

CHICAGO, IL - Looking out the window as one flies into O'Hare airport, a sea of rooftops fills the Chicago landscape. And off those rooftops, much rain does run - straight into the city's sewer system.

DUNCAN, OK - The year 2007 went into the history books as the sixth wettest for Duncan, Oklahoma. Residents saw five major floods with three of them greater than 100-year flood event. The flood on June 28 resulted in a sewer main failure. But quick action and Rip Rap saved the City from unsanitary contaminants, a fate that could have occurred when Tropical Storm Erin dropped 6.2 inches of intense rain on August 19.