The way forward

A quick look at the major efforts that could have an impact during future storms:

• Buyouts: Congress, Gov. Greg Abbott and county officials all have expressed a desire to dramatically increase buyouts of flood-prone properties, beyond established federal grant programs. Congress now has come up with some money, and more could come from a successful county bond referendum.

• Bayous, dams, reservoirs: Congress, Abbott and local officials have called for hundreds of millions of dollars of upgrades to Houston-area bayous, dams and reservoirs, and new projects such as additional dams outside the city. Congress has directed funds for these projects in disaster relief bills, Abbott said he will tap the state’s rainy day fund to pay for more projects, and Harris County officials will finance more if voters pass the coming bond referendum.

• Regulations: Harris County instituted new, tougher regulations on development on Jan. 1. The Houston City Council is expected to consider similar regulations in the coming weeks, despite concern over the impact on housing affordability. The Legislature won’t reconvene until 2019, but lawmakers then will be asked to consider a range of proposals: increasing local governments’ ability to bar development in certain areas; changing the operational guidelines of reservoirs such as Lake Conroe; and mandating disclosure of flood risk for new homebuyers or renters.

• Science: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration currently is recalculating how to measure rainfall and define a 100-year storm; the current standard appeared outdated and was underestimating flood risk. Once final data comes out in May, local governments and the state will need to decide how to use the new information, including how to draw new floodplain maps and offset the impact of development.