Hurricane Harvey. Jeff Lindner. Meteorologist Harris County Flood Control District

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1 Hurricane Harvey Jeff Lindner Meteorologist Harris County Flood Control District

3 Addicks and Barker Watersheds

4 Hurricane Harvey Track

5 A Category 4 Hurricane With Epic Flood Forecasts had to separate the flood out of the hurricane Hurricane conditions were a coastal bend concern (surge/wind) Strong and consistent messaging for the upper coast flood threat Most heard hurricane and prepared for a hurricane Preparations paid off just done for the wrong reason

6 The Forecast

7 Forecasting Historic Events Comparison to previous events TS Allison Hurricane Ike Tax Day Flood (2016) The Forecast Is that really going to happen Can that really happen Most people do not understand uncertainty or probability Most people will verify with other sources (message consistency is critical)

8 Landfall near Port Aransas 10:00 p.m. August 25 th Category 4 (130mph) First hurricane to strike TX since Ike (2008)

9 Intense Rainfall Begins (9:00pm) Sat

NWS/HCFCD/MEDIA: NWS Chat [10:49:40]<water-jeff.d.lindner MEDIA/NWS: we need help getting this message out. Our message is for persons to not go into their attic, but instead get on the roof.

10 NWS/HCFCD/MEDIA: NWS Chat [10:49:40]<water-jeff.d.lindner MEDIA/NWS: we need help getting this message out. Our message is for persons to not go into their attic, but instead get on the roof. Also if calling 911 stay on the line until it is answered [10:53:21]<media-britta.merwin Thanks Jeff we just passed that along. To my knowledge there are 2 spots this is occurring/possible I-10 between the loop and beltway due to hunting bayou and then down along the gulf freeway [10:53:55]<nws-molly.merrifield Britta- Also have reports of water in second story apartments in Dickinson

11 Widespread Catastrophic Flooding (1000am)

12 I do not need to tell you how dire a situation we have every available rescue asset is deployed If you have a boat, we need your help Harris County Judge Ed Emmett 53, calls in 15 hrs

13 Hurricane Harvey - Rainfall Duration Max Rainfall Duration Max Rainfall 15-min hr min hr hr hr hr day hr day 47.4 Location Rainfall Duration Nederland (Jefferson Co) day N Groves (Jefferson Co) day Friendswood day Santa Fe day League City day Webster day

14 Harvey Versus Other Major Floods Duration Harvey August 2017 Allison June 2001 Tax Day April 2016 October hr hr hr hr hr hr days days N/A 28.9

15 Harvey s Rainfall 30 inches

16 Harvey Smashes US Rainfall Records TX State Climatologist 1530 Billion gallons Fill Astrodome 4790 times Supply US water usage for 26 days

17 Harvey Smashes US Rainfall Records TX State Climatologist 6 Trillion gallons of water Fill Lake Conroe 42 times Supply US water usage for 102 days

18 Harris County Rainfall Statistics 1 Trillion gallons of water over 4-days (1,777 sq mi) Would run Niagara Falls for 15 days Fill the Astrodome 3200 times 33.7 inches average Harris County rainfall over 4 days 68% of Harris County yearly rainfall in 4 days 69% of PMP Max 4 day total: in at Clear Creek at I-45 95% of PMP

21 13 of 22 watersheds reached record levels

22 Cypress Creek Event Date HWM Harvey 97.0 Allison (01) /18/ /14/ /

23 Inverness Forest Levee Event Date HWM Harvey 92.1 Allison (01) /18/ /14/ /

24 Inverness Forest Levee

25 W Fork San Jacinto River Event Date HWM Harvey /27/ /18/ Ike (08) /18/

26 Clear Creek Event Date HWM Harvey 16.6 Allison (01) 10.7 Ike (08) 11.0 Claudette (79) /18/09 9.5

27 Buffalo Bayou Event Date HWM Harvey /28/ /4/ /18/ /26/

28 Houston Ship Channel Ike (2008) Peak: ft Harvey 2017 Peak: ft

29 Addicks Reservoir Top 5 Pools Date Elevation Harvey Apr Mar Apr Nov

30 Addicks Reservoir N End Spillway

31 Barker Reservoir Top 5 Pools Date Elevation Harvey Apr Mar Nov Nov

32 300,000 vehicles flooded (HC) Est. damages (125 B) 60,064+ persons rescued Damage

Harvey 123,650 (134,650) Allison 73,000 4-18-16 9,840 5-25-15 6,335 6-19-06

33 Harvey 123,650 (134,650) Allison 73, , , ,370 8% total structures in Harris County flooded 79,390 or 64% outside 1% floodplain

34 HCFCD Actions

35 HCFCD Actions (Media) Over 275 Interviews Local, national, world media 3 Daily Press Briefings (HCFCD/COE)

36 Understanding the Hydrology Complex urban/rural hydrology 22 watersheds each with different flooding types 2 flood control reservoirs (Addicks/Barker) 2 levees Spillways (4) Dam Releases (controlled vs. uncontrolled) Lack of public understanding of how water flows, watersheds, reservoir operations

37 Communicating Complex Topics Use basic words, be calm, and confident Answer the best you can what people want to know How does it affect me When will it affect me What should I do Have compassion and understanding We will get through this This will end Relate if you can If you don t know say you don t know

38 HCFCD Actions (Social Media) First major disaster for Twitter Highly effective Allowed direct interaction with public/media

39 Social Media and Disasters Account Control: Who can draft messages Who authorizes messages Who posts messages (agency vs. individual) Rumor Control Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor Traditional Media Text Messages (family, friends, media)

40 Lessons Learned Media/social media engagement critical Social media is powerful but requires staffing Social media is always ON Most people still watch local TV media coverage Still have to complete the same jobs as we did before social media

41 HCFCD Actions (High Water Marks) Largest HWM effort ever by HCFCD 588 Marks over 2 weeks (451 channels) Hurricane Ike (08) 496 marks (365 channels)

42 HCFCD Actions (Post Event)

43 Harvey: Lessons Learned Public comprehension of forecasted rainfall or historic events Media/social media engagement Plans and procedures Partnerships matter!!! Communication

44 Jeff Lindner

Flood Event Analysis to Estimate the Avoided Damages Due to Flood Improvement Projects & Voluntary Buyout Program

Flood Event Analysis to Estimate the Avoided Damages Due to Flood Improvement Projects & Voluntary Buyout Program Ataul Hannan, P.E., CFM Planning Division Director Harris County Flood Control District