We've now had more than enough rain. It's as usual. The demand for rain usually leads to more than enough, and the drainage issues reappear. Some are easily solved, since they only involve removing some debris from drains, or digging a small swale to eliminate a low spot. Others can't be solved, unless you can accept the solution of bulldozing large areas of developed land that impedes drainage from areas that were developed later in unfavorable areas. It's part of development, and regardless of opinions, no taxing entity can bear the cost of building the needed drainage structures for a 100 year flood; if that's even possible. To make things worse, the cleaning of drainage structures, profiling of ditches, and other drainage maintenance requirements are never considered that important, until there is an unusual amount of rain. Even then, the taxing entities act surprised, look for a federal handout, and make promises they know they can't keep.
So, here we go again. The taxing entities will hope the water goes down soon, those that live in areas that have poor drainage will deal with water, the sun will shine again, and it will all be pushed onto the back burner...until we get another rain event.
So, I went out to check the rain gauge. Last night, before I went to bed, it had about 2 inches of water. It overflowed, so we had over four inches of rain overnight. Weather folks say it's mostly over, which is good. It will take days for the water to recede in the worst of areas.
How's the soil handling all the water? Is it like a soaked sponge or is it absorbing it?
ReplyDeleteThe soil is saturated. The last rain spell we had took longer than before for the water to soak in. This time it's standing. If we have a wet Spring, many won't like the results. A strong north wind will usually lower the tides and help with drainage. A strong east wind will raise the tides, slow the drainage, and in some situations, add insult to injury with coastal flooding.
DeleteI haven't checked the local river gauges since this morning. I have a feeling most outfalls are in some form of flood stage. I know the main rivers are rising. If the large pools from the dams upstream start rising above pool stage, the water they let from the floodgates will flood many that have no resources for rebuilding. If they didn't get flood insurance after the last flood, FEMA will not allow any money for repairs. Many will just leave the homes to the elements. There are many in the areas that flooded that stand as testaments to the folly of building in a flood zone.
According to the miliary grade alarm clock we have at the front gate, Seguin got about 4 1/2" this week.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like Sequin received what we had a few days before. The system sagged south until it was finally swept away by a weak front.
DeleteIn Houston, I recall one storm getting 8" of water in an hour. Very wet.
ReplyDeleteI remember that. It turned many streets into rivers of rushing water.
DeleteWe've had over 3 inches in Wichita Falls.
ReplyDeleteWe have one more shot of rain before tomorrow. There are rumbles in the distance, and it won't stop until a front passes.
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