The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recently made a historic decision by adopting the 2024 State Flood Plan, marking the first comprehensive statewide assessment of flood risk and solutions to mitigate that risk. This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including regional flood planning groups, sponsors, technical consultants, state agencies, and TWDB staff.
The plan incorporates the findings of 15 regional flood plans and includes legislative and floodplain management recommendations aimed at guiding state, regional, and local flood control policy to reduce the risk and impact of flooding. It is a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by flooding in Texas, where approximately one in every six people lives or works in known flood hazard areas.
The plan highlights the diverse nature of flood hazards across the state, influenced by factors such as population density, land development, topography, rainfall patterns, and proximity to rivers and the coast. Despite these variations, the plan identifies significant flood risk within all 15 planning regions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and coordinated flood management strategies.
TWDB Board Member L’Oreal Stepney emphasized the importance of having flood hazard information for the entire state, calling it a crucial foundation for understanding and mitigating flood risk. The plan presents around 4,600 solutions recommended by regional flood planning groups, including flood management evaluations, mitigation projects, and strategies, with an estimated implementation cost exceeding $54.5 billion.
One of the key outcomes of the state flood planning process is the potential removal of over 843,000 people and 214,000 buildings from the 1% annual chance floodplain if the plan is fully implemented. This underscores the significant impact that proactive flood management measures can have on safeguarding lives and property from the devastating effects of flooding.
The creation of the regional and state flood planning process was initiated by Senate Bill 8 during the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, with the TWDB tasked with producing a new state flood plan every five years based on regional plans. The 2024 State Flood Plan is now available on the TWDB website and will be submitted to key state officials by September 2024.
To enhance accessibility and understanding of the plan, an Interactive State Flood Plan Viewer has been developed, allowing users to explore the data in-depth. This tool provides valuable insights into existing infrastructure, flood hazard areas, exposure, recommended evaluations, mitigation projects, and more, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding flood risk management.
In conclusion, the TWDB’s adoption of the 2024 State Flood Plan represents a significant milestone in addressing flood risk in Texas. By leveraging regional insights and collaborative efforts, the plan offers a comprehensive framework for reducing the impact of flooding and enhancing resilience across the state. As Texas continues to face evolving challenges related to flooding, the implementation of the state flood plan will play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and infrastructure from future flood events.