Flooding Preparedness
Flood Preparedness
The City of Humble has numerous areas and roadways that are impacted due to flooding. Most roadways have been marked with depth markers or have been repaired to mitigate the flooding. The residential housing and business areas that can be impacted with flooding are built within a flood plain and the City of Humble is working to mitigate the impact of the effects of flooding.
The latest mitigation effort that the City of Humble has completed has been the bayou repair to the Black’s Branch bayou behind the Northshire Subdivision (2024). This mitigation effort has allowed for proper flow of the Northshire Subdivision runoff waters to the San Jacinto River.
Turn Around Don’t Drown®
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
Flooding Definitions
Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks
Flash flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed, or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam.
Flood Evacuation
- Follow evacuation orders from local officials.
- Take your emergency supply kit with you. For more information, view the Disaster Essentials Checklist.
- Notify family of your evacuation plans.
- Make a plan for your pets and take them with you if you need to evacuate.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away. Most flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles.
- If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car immediately and move to higher ground.
- Never drive around barricades.