Texas County Approves Tougher Flood Prevention Regulations

Dec. 13, 2017
The new regulations were unanimously approved by the Harris County Commissioners

On Dec. 5, Harris County Commissioners Court, Texas, approved tougher flood-plain development regulations unanimously. The new regulations call for construction to be built to the 500-year storm standard instead of the previous 100-year standard. A 100-year storm standard has a 1% chance of occurring in a year, while a 500-year storm standard has a 0.2% chance

The regulations will take effect Jan. 1 and require some homes to use pier-and-beam construction to better cope with high winds and flood waters. Additionally, the regulations call for homes that can withstand a three-second gust basic wind speed of 120 miles per hour.

The regulations have seen wide support from local groups including the Greater Houston Builders Association, Houston Real Estate Council, American Council of Engineering Companies of Houston, Houston Apartment Association and the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects.