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In an ironic twist, yesterday's AIA Flooding and Storm Surge Symposium was postponed due to flooding. The event would've included two panel discussions with city officials dedicated to combating the issue. Instead, the city was busy combating the issue firsthand as flash flooding once again turned the city into a swampy mess, shutting down entire highways. Yesterday, first responders fielded 65 water rescue calls.
Houstonians have paid more than a half-billion dollars for infrastructure since City Council created the ReBuild Houston drainage fee in 2010. Last week the mayor announced a new $10M Storm Water Action Team (SWAT). Over the past 40 years, rainfall in the Brays Bayou watershed has increased by 26%, according to Rice University hydrologist Phil Bedient. In the same time, runoff has skyrocketed by 204%.
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