San Antonio Floods
Introduction
The major roads of San Antonio flood whenever it rains heavily. Massive storms developed in Southwest Bexar County and caused water to enter into San Antonio city. This makes the town flooded all over the roads unpassable hence making police close down road and lanes like the lower lanes of Interstate 35 at Main Avenu downtown, Gibbs Sprawl and Rittiman roads on the Northeast have also been closed. This essay will tackle the causes and reasons why it flooded the San Antonio city, how the flooding can be stopped in future, the main seasons it floods and if it has ever flooded in San Antonio. The essay will also handle the effects of the floods on the people, community and economy, the counter-arguments on the flooding in San Antonio and how to prevent flooding in future.
Seasons that San Antonio Floods
The recent rainfall reached up to 7 inches, and it caused the flash flood in Texas, notably San Antonio. Texas in general experiences most flood in the country especially central Texas because of the geographical position. The flooding is mostly during fall, especially in September. For example last September there was flooding in Texas due to the massive rain that was being experienced. Moreover, San Antonio is also prone to experiencing hurricane mostly from June to November just like in the year 2017
Reasons why San Antonio experienced colossal flooding
The heavy rains in conjunction with the storms from Balcones escarpment lead to the flooding. The wind pushes the rain into the sand and even breaks the walls of River Walk. The geographical position of Central Texas is the most significant reason for the flooding in the city of San Antonio. The rugged landscape in central Texas contributes mainly to the flooding experienced. Also, the rapid rate of urbanization also leads to flooding since people develop the natural places that the rainwater could pass through. Hence when it rains heavily, the stormwater that crosses the concrete structure and cannot flow out therefore they burst and thus the flooding.
The two large spots of rain season that are experienced in the fall and spring also contributes mainly to the flash floods because the soil cannot absorb more rainwater. Additionally, since Texas also experiences dry seasons, Texas citizens have made many human-made dams and hence this kind of modifies the natural catchment especially to the regulation of the river. The tropical cyclones also play a part in the flooding of San Antonio. However, they do not contribute a lot to the flash floods experienced in the area. Therefore, as much as there is global warming and it could be the reason for the flash floods, human activities and the overpopulation in Texas play a significant role in the flash floods experienced in San Antonio and overall Central Texas.
How to prevent further flooding in San Antonio
Despite the fact that there is no outlay procedure to prevent further flooding, the Bexar County Department of Management has urged the San Antonia citizen to consider their environment even if they are partaking development projects. The San Antonia River Authority manager, Ms. Suzan Scott explained that increase in development activities like building of houses, tunnels parking lots will increase water flow, velocity and amount of water that goes to the rivers and dams. There are approximately seven thousand damns built in Texas, which 2000 of are meant for curbing floods in the areas. Also, the Bexar County is working together with the River Authority to develop Local drainage systems to be managed by City as capital improvement programs.
Moreover, the City of San Antonio in connection with the River Authority and the Bexar county to know the 100-year plain areas that are always changing with the development changes in the City. With prioritization of the flood-related projects, they are prioritized depending on how safe, the impact of the project and the cost. The projects are funded by taxes collected by Bexar County Flood Control Plan to construct watershed and other regional level projects. There are over one hundred and forty-five low crossing areas in San Antonio. Therefore, both the federal and the state government are investing in the creation of low crossing areas and drainage system.
Effects of the floods in San Antonio
The flash floods have led to the displacement of the people from their homes and loss of property over the years. The floods also caused schools and road closure in San Antonio area hence making people not to go around their businesses as usual. Loss of lives has also been reported where this year a teenage boy was reported missing after he tried crossing the bursting Cibolo Creek. Also, two deaths of a 29-year-old and 6o-year-old woman were swept with the floods this year and a lot of money due to loss of property. San Antonio citizens approved spending of $152 million in 2007, $128 million in 2012 and almost $139 million in 2017 just on constructing drainage and curbing of floods. Hence a lot of money has been spent on the flooding issue. Also, the tides damaged crops and pastureland thus the animals will also be affected.
The misconception of flooding in San Antonio
As much as San Antonio has always experienced floods over the years that have significantly impacted the is no clear research that produces a long-term solution to the problem. There is no clear weather focusing on the area not until a flash flood occurs. Therefore, the weather forecast assumes that since the flash floods always happen all over sudden, their cant is a prediction of the weather. The city authority, Bexar, and San Antonio River Authority have ever known that the only way to tackle the flash floods water from coming into the city is through the creation of dams that support flooding, pipes, culverts and any traditional way to handle the floods. However, the state at which there are flash floods and its effects, overall landscaping is essential in managing the flash floods in San Antonio.
Conclusion
The amount and level of flash floods are mostly due to the geographical position of a place. In line with that, the growth of population and development are increasing the rates of flash floods in San Antonio. Therefore, there should be a different way of planning the city regarding construction. For example, citizens should be encouraged to plant native plants that can feed and attract bees; the ground should have plants that slow the flow of water and water tanks or barrels that can collect rainwater from the rooftops. This will help in curbing the floods and prevention of environmental degradation. This type of landscaping can replace the building of dams, pipes, and culverts. Moreover, planting of more pasture on lands is better in preventing the fast flow of water downstream as compared to buildings and pavements. Lastly, provision of full demographic data will help in the rescue mission.