Texans Rebel Against Buyout of Government on Homes in Flood Zones

Photo byWalter Jennings/commons.wikimedia

Harris County Residents Stand Firm

As waters rose recently, nearly engulfing two of the six homes 60-year-old Tom Madigan owns along the San Jacinto River, he swiftly began repairs. Walls were stripped, floors pulled up, and waterlogged furniture discarded.

Madigan didn't realize that the Harris County Flood Control District was planning to buy his properties to relocate residents from flood-prone areas.

Recent rainstorms drenched southeast Texas, causing rivers to rise and flood low-lying communities. Regional officials urged residents in these vulnerable areas to evacuate.

Madigan's properties have repeatedly flooded, like many others in the San Jacinto watershed. For nearly 30 years, the Harris County Flood Control District has been buying out homes around the river to decongest flood-prone zones.

The recent flooding underscores the need for these buyout programs. These communities are often the first and worst hit. Governor Greg Abbott reported hundreds of rescues during the floods, where homes were destroyed and lives lost. One resident described climbing onto his motor home as waters rose until first responders saved him.

Yet, the disaster also highlights the challenge of implementing buyouts. The district has identified about 2,400 properties around the San Jacinto as buyout candidates, with around 800 purchased. Most buyouts are voluntary; the district can't force anyone to leave if they choose to stay. "Buyouts are increasingly the rational option for those who can't be adequately protected from future floods," said Alessandra Jerolleman, director of research for the Center on Environment, Land, and Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

However, buyouts may leave lower-income residents with insufficient funds to relocate and could strip them of essential social safety nets like nearby family or child care, Jerolleman noted.

Harris County's situation exemplifies the delicate balance between protecting citizens and respecting their autonomy. While buyouts can reduce flood risk, they also present socio-economic challenges for those asked to move.

In conclusion, the Harris County Flood Control District aims to protect residents from future floods, but the voluntary nature of buyouts and associated obstacles mean many, like Tom Madigan, choose to stay and rebuild. The scale of these programs underscores the need for balanced solutions addressing both safety and community well-being.