Solutions to flooding

Growth limits

Regarding “Fight flooding now” editorial (Page A30, Sunday), I agree with all 12 ideas so forcefully presented in your editorial and would add another:

In terms of preventing disastrous flooding, the conventional view of “growth” must change from generally positive to generally negative. I realize this is a sea-change in most people’s thinking, but it is necessary, at least until major infrastructure projects are in place.

The limits on growth in practical terms should apply to development of both residential and commercial property.

What also is sorely needed is “de-development.” This would entail condemnation of idle properties, preferably large blocks of developed land, and conversion of this land back to nature. An example would be the planting of prairie grass, one of the world’s great natural sponges. The loss of 70 percent of the Katy Prairie is itself a disaster. Shaun Smith, Houston

Elevate houses

Regarding your editorial on Sunday I would suggest adding a No. 13: All new housing construction should be elevated. In the city of Houston, new houses built in floodplains are required to be built 1 foot above the highest flood level. This has been done in neighborhoods such as Oak Forest when older homes are torn down for new construction.

Each time Houston and Harris County has a flood event, it seems the vast majority of homes that flood are not in a floodplain. Elevated housing should be the standard for all new housing construction. Julie Grothues, Houston

Widen bayous

Thanks for your 12 suggestions for policies that can help reduce the damage from future floods. Everyone should contribute to this debate and discussion.

I noticed right away that cleaning out and expanding Buffalo Bayou was not mentioned. I live just south of Buffalo Bayou between Wilcrest and Kirkwood and Harvey water was lapping at my slab, 4 inches from coming into my home before we evacuated by air boat on Aug. 30. Many other nearby homes took in water and now have huge piles of debris in their front yards.

Buffalo Bayou is full of fallen trees and branches that slow the flow of water before it spills into the Port of Houston. Cleaning out this bayou and widening it so that it can carry more water should be priority No. 1 because it will protect thousands of nearby homes. Cleaning out the bayou should be one of the easiest, least costly and most effective projects that we can do in the short term. Jimmy Dunne, Houston