The city of Houston is no stranger to hurricanes. This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Ike, the city has seen Hurricane Alicia in 1983 and even went through the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. We are well versed in strong storms hitting the area. But as the politicking and questionable financial decisions have continued in our local government, the city might not be well prepared for the next big storm.
Houston is currently ranked #1 by FEMA for hurricane risk. Additionally, the city is not only facing a $300 million budget shortfall, it also has an alarming lack of emergency savings. Most of the budget in recent years, about 75 percent, has gone to fixing deficits, rising fixed costs, and huge debt obligations to first responders. Now, the city is stuck with little money to act if a major hurricane meanders its way to Houston.
Charles Blain of Urban Reform says the biggest concern is there is much outstanding work still not complete.
“The county flood control director said recently we are about $1 billion short of completing the projects in a $2.5 billion flood control bond…so yeah, I do not think we are anywhere near ready,” he says.
Houston was caught in an interesting spot with Hurricane Beryl just last year. There was chaos with the power grid, a lack of shelter, and general confusion as to who was doing what.
Of course, FEMA still exists and can help, but the agency has been out of money for a while as well. So, if a category four hurricane hits Houston directly, who will be there to help financially? Because if FEMA cannot provide enough, then the city has to dip into emergency savings. Which, as mentioned, are quite low.
“They keep some money in there in case something happens, but it does not feel like we are ready,” says Blain. “It seems as though our elected officials, current and past, have not prepared or have no intention of preparing us for the next big one.”
The flood bond project worth $2.5 billion has been going on since 2018, right after Hurricane Harvey. Almost 7 years later, the projects are still floundering both financially and with staffing.
If you will remember though, we were told under the Sylvester Turner administration that Houston was in the best financial footing it has ever been. Which on paper, was true. But when you lift up the hood, it is clear that the public was sold a lemon.
“When you look at all the expenses that racked up, soon to be due…we did not have the money needed to even close the budget gap, let alone prepare for any kind of disaster,” Blain says.
If it not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when” a hurricane will hit Houston again. If it is anytime soon, the city might have a total disaster on its hands.