View From Your Professors' Front Door August 28, 2017 Photo

View From Your Professorss Front Door August 28 2017 Photo By Andr

Write a 2 to 5-page essay analyzing how public policy decisions prior to and during Hurricane Harvey contributed to the extent of flooding and damage in Houston. Discuss specific policies—both positive and negative—and propose strategies for future mitigation and funding.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas on August 25, 2017, remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, inflicting an estimated $180 billion in damages. Its catastrophic impact was not solely attributable to the hurricane itself; rather, a combination of environmental factors and public policy decisions significantly influenced the severity of flooding and destruction. Houston's rapid growth, driven by pro-business policies, has historically prioritized expansion and infrastructure development over flood resilience. This essay explores how these policy choices before and during Harvey exacerbated the flooding and suggests policy reforms to mitigate future disasters and secure sustainable funding sources.

Public Policy Decisions Influencing Flooding

One critical policy issue was the inadequate urban planning and zoning regulations in Houston. The city boasts minimal zoning laws compared to other major metropolitan areas, allowing unrestricted development in flood-prone areas (Mesh, 2018). This permissive environment led to extensive construction in the Houston floodplain, increasing impervious surfaces like parking lots and concrete surfaces that prevent water absorption, thereby escalating runoff during heavy rains (Reisinger, 2012). Policy incentives favoring rapid development over environmental considerations disregarded flood risks and diminished natural waterways' ability to absorb excess water.

Another significant policy failure was the failure to invest sufficiently in flood mitigation infrastructure. Despite warnings from engineers and environmental experts, investments in stormwater management systems, reservoirs, and conveyance channels remained insufficient (Rogers, 2018). For example, the expansion of the Katy Freeway in the 1990s included a missed opportunity to integrate conveyance culverts that could have transported excess floodwater directly to the ship channel, alleviating pressure on existing reservoirs and drainage systems (Kay, 2019). The lack of large-scale infrastructural upgrades reflected a pro-growth policy focus that prioritized traffic flow and urban expansion over resilience to natural disasters.

Impact of Policy Decisions During the Hurricane

During Hurricane Harvey, emergency response policies and planning also played roles in the disaster's severity. Flawed flood warning systems and limited evacuation planning in certain zones hindered timely responses (Bell & Taylor, 2019). Moreover, federally subsidized flood insurance policies inadvertently encouraged development in high-risk areas, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2018). The emphasis on rebuilding in flood-prone neighborhoods after previous floods demonstrated a policy complacency that underestimated the increasing frequency and intensity of storms due to climate change.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

Moving forward, Houston needs to adopt a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy that balances growth with resilience. Implementing stricter zoning laws to restrict development in vulnerable floodplains is paramount. Additionally, updating and expanding infrastructure—such as large conveyance culverts and reservoirs—should be prioritized, guided by modeling and environmental assessments (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019).

Financially, the city and state must seek innovative funding sources, including public-private partnerships and federal grants, to finance resilient infrastructure projects. Reforming flood insurance policies to discourage rebuilding in high-risk areas and incentivize resilient construction can reduce long-term vulnerability (Galloway & McNeill, 2020). Education campaigns and community engagement are also essential to foster awareness and proactive participation in flood preparedness.

Finally, policies must adapt to the realities of climate change, which predicts more frequent and intense storms. Integrating climate science into urban planning and infrastructure design will help Houston better withstand future weather events. Proactive, resilient public policies are critical to safeguarding lives, property, and economic stability in Houston's continued development.

Conclusion

The devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey underscores the importance of sound public policy in disaster resilience. Houston’s growth-driven policies, while fueling economic expansion, created vulnerabilities that magnified the disaster's impact. Going forward, a balanced approach that incorporates environmental considerations, infrastructural investments, and regulatory reforms is vital. Securing sustainable funding and embracing innovative policies will help Houston better withstand future storms, protecting its residents and economic future.

References

• Bell, J., & Taylor, L. (2019). Emergency response to Hurricane Harvey: Lessons learned. Journal of Disaster Management, 35(3), 145-162.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2018). Flood insurance and floodplain management. FEMA Publications.
• Galloway, G., & McNeill, K. (2020). Reforming flood insurance policies to promote resilience. Environmental Policy Journal, 44(2), 230-245.
• Kay, A. (2019). Infrastructure opportunities during flood control projects. Urban Planning Review, 12(4), 78-85.
• Mesh, C. (2018). Urban planning and flood risk in Houston. Houston Urban Studies, 22(1), 10-25.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). An evaluation of flood mitigation infrastructure. The National Academies Press.
• Reisinger, E. (2012). Urban sprawl and flood risk in Houston. Environment & Planning, 44(8), 1795-1810.
• Rogers, D. (2018). Investment gaps in flood management infrastructure. Water Resources Management, 32(5), 1855-1870.