R2023-166 2023-07-24RESOLUTION NO. R2023-166
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, adopting the
Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA).
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City previously contr acted for the development of a RLAA to
increase flood mitigation opportunities under the Community Ratin g System.
Section 2. That certain RLAA, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and
made a part hereof for all purposes, is hereby authorized and approved.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this the 24th day of July, A.D., 2023.
_____________________________
J. KEVIN COLE
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________________
FRANCES AGUILAR, TRMC, MCC
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
DocuSign Envelope ID: C2E4E4D8-BB0F-4EE4-9A19-C1ECFBB9A703
CITY OF PEARLAND
Repetitive Loss Area Analysis
July 2023
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 2
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Cover photo: “Painted Pears” at Independence Park at the corner of John Lizer Rd. and Liberty Dr.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1.0 – Introduction ........................................................................................................... 4
Section 2.0 – Identify Repetitive Loss Areas ............................................................................... 5
Section 3.0 – Contact Property Owners ...................................................................................... 7
Section 4.0 – Collect Building Data ............................................................................................. 8
Section 5.0 – Contact Other Agencies .................................................................................................... 9
Section 6.0 – Repetitive Loss Areas ....................................................................................................... 9
Section 7.0 – Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 46
Appendices
Appendix A: Letter to Property Owners ............................................................................................... 47
Appendix B: Flood Protection Questionnaire ...................................................................................... 49
Appendix C: Contacting Other Agencies ............................................................................................. 53
Appendix D: Targeted Outreach Letter ................................................................................................ 54
Appendix E: Draft Notice on Website ................................................................................................... 55
Appendix F: Building Data ..................................................................................................................... 56
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 4
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The city of Pearland is approximately halfway between Houston and Galveston, and spans three
counties in the southeastern part of Texas: Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the 2020
census, the population in Pearland was 125,828 and the city was recently named one of the
fastest-growing in the state. The climate in Pearland is hot and humid summers with mild winters.
Numerous channels and tributaries, plus its proximity to Galveston Bay and the Gulf Coast, makes
the city of Pearland vulnerable to tropical storms as well as riverine flooding.
1.1 The Flood Hazard
FEMA issued Pearland’s Flood Hazard Boundary Map in January of 1975. The first FEMA Flood
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is dated July 5, 1984. The most current effective FEMA FIRM for
Brazoria county was issued on December 30, 2020, January 6, 2017 for Fort Bend County, and
January 29, 2021, for Harris County. Pearland is contained entirely within the Clear Creek
Watershed which spreads across 16 cities and flows from west to east and into Galveston Bay.
Within the watershed are two primary streams: Clear Creek and Turkey Creek. Clear Creek
watershed includes 154 miles of open streams (primary streams and tributary channel) and spans
197 square miles. The graphic below shows Clear Creek watershed (yellow outline) which
includes Pearland and several other cities. There are numerous tributaries that run through
Pearland that feed into Clear Creek, namely Hickory Slough, Cowart Creek, and Mary’s Creek,
which serve to drain more than 90% of the city.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 5
Floods have been and continue to be the most frequent, destructive, and costly natural hazard
facing the state of Texas. Ninety percent (90%) of the State’s damage reported for major disasters
is associated with floods. Historical records indicate that the streams draining Pearland have
flooded throughout the City’s history. The flat terrain, clay soils, and impervious surfaces found
in this area contribute to the flooding problem. Since 1990, Pearland has been impacted by six
significant flood events including 1994, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2017, and 2020. Implementation
of higher drainage design standards for new construction and improving existing drainage
conveyance systems based on new standards has been a primary focus of the city to reduce
flooding problems in Pearland.
1.2 Flood Insurance Coverage
City staff actively educates the public on the importance of flood insurance, including helping
residents understand that flood damage is not covered by regular homeowners’ insurance. Given
the numerous tributaries running through the city, as well as the city’s proximity to Galveston Bay
and the Gulf, the purchase and maintenance of a flood insurance policy are strongly encouraged
for every resident and business owner in Pearland. The table below is a breakdown of flood
insurance data in Pearland based on the effective FIRM flood zones (data current as of May 29,
2023).
The City is committed to making flood insurance more affordable for its residents. The recent
rollout of FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 initiative put a spotlight on the importance of flood insurance
since each policy is based on the structure’s actuarial risk as opposed to the location relative to
the floodplain. Since structures outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain may now be eligible for the
discount available through the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS), the City has prioritized
CRS class improvements to make flood insurance premiums more affordable to residents,
thereby increasing the number of policies and flood insurance coverage.
2.0 IDENTIFY REPETITIVE LOSS AREAS
The City’s goal to ease the financial burden of flood insurance for its residents is a strong motivator
towards improving their class rating in the CRS program. In 2022, the City and its CRS consultant,
Cahoon Consulting, began preparing for the City’s CRS five-year cycle visit that would not only
verify existing activities but also include other activities that may qualify for a class improvement.
Part of the City’s plan to improve the CRS rating involved the development of this Repetitive Loss
Area Analysis (RLAA), a process that actually started in 2021. An RLAA is a report that identifies
repetitive loss areas (RLAs) and recommends alternatives to mitigate the effects of future
flooding. A property is classified as a repetitive loss if it has had two or more claims of more than
$1,000 that have been paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within any 10-year
period since 1978. Repetitive loss properties have been an ongoing financial strain on the NFIP,
# of
Policies Premium
Insurance-in-
Force
All A Zone 877 $651,201 $269,235,000
X/Shaded X Zone 9,735 $5,726,032 $3,269,438,000
TOTAL 10,612 $5,927,233 $3,538,673,000
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 6
representing a quarter of all NFIP payments since 1978, FEMA maintains a list of repetitive loss
properties, making it available to any CRS community by request. The list includes property
specifics, loss dates, and claims information. (Due to the sensitivity of the data, it is protected by
the Privacy Act of 1974 and cannot be shared with the general public.)
Repetitive loss properties remain on FEMA’s list for the life of the structure and are classified as
either mitigated or unmitigated. A mitigated property means the structure has been protected
against future flood damage through elevation, acquisition, demolition, structural control project,
or another form of resolution. In preparation for the CRS visit, and for the purpose of developing
this RLAA, the City tasked the Engineering Department with assistance from the consultant,
(hereafter known as the “Team”), to investigate the problem of unmitigated repetitive loss
properties and to consider mitigation alternatives that may alleviate the flood hazard. The Team
submitted a Data Sharing Agreement to FEMA Region VI and obtained the latest repetitive loss
list in 2021 when the RLAA process began.
The first step in the RLAA process was to identify properties that were not under the Pearland
jurisdiction and should be removed from the City’s list. The Team prepared an NFIP Flood Loss
Update Worksheet with accompanying documentation and forwarded it to NFIP Underwriting to
remove 17 addresses from Pearland’s list. The City’s GIS specialist then plotted the remaining
unmitigated properties on a map revealing that the repetitive loss properties were scattered
throughout the city limits. The Team designated 72 RLAs, with each RLA containing at least 2
properties and 13 sub-sections named and based on geographic cluster location for a total of 862
properties. These 862 include FEMA’s repetitive loss properties plus adjacent or nearby
properties that may be susceptible to the same cause of flooding. While many of the nearby
structures have no history of flooding, it is a safe assumption that they are at a higher risk based
on their proximity to channels, drainage system features, age and/or foundation of the structure,
or other factors.
Other reasons to include some properties in the RLAs that are not on FEMA’s list is that they may
have flooded in the past but the homeowners did not have flood insurance or did not file for
disaster assistance. These properties may be one loss away from ending up on FEMA’s repetitive
loss list. FEMA’s data of losses and claims history, as well as flood insurance policy statistics,
were also examined. All of the above factors were deemed reasonable enough to group particular
properties into the 72 RLAs. The following sections explain the process of developing the RLAA
per the requirements set forth in the 2017 CRS Coordinator’s Manual and supplemental guidance.
All of the RLAs are discussed in more detail in Section 6. The map on the following page features
all 72 RLAs, shaded by their general, geographical area.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 7
3.0 CONTACT PROPERTY OWNERS
On April 25, 2022, the City mailed letters to the property owners whose addresses were identified
in the 72 RLAs. The letter explained the purpose of the RLAA and what kinds of information would
be used in the report including permit records, appraisal district records, field data, and
photographs. The letter also notified property owners that the draft report would be posted on the
City’s website for comments (see Appendix E) and included a link and a QR code to an online,
10-question Flood Protection Survey regarding individual flood damage history and property
protection options.
Responses and comments from the RLA citizens were factored in to the decisions regarding
recommended mitigation alternatives as outlined in this RLAA. Based on the review of responses
received from residents living in the RLAs, the review of existing drainage guidelines, and
current/future drainage projects, the key takeaways from the survey are summarized below.
· Approximately 35% of the residents are not aware of the FEMA floodplain and floodway.
It is essential to continue and improve outreach efforts.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 8
· Approximately 77% of the residents carry a flood insurance policy which is good, but there
is room to make the residents aware of flooding potential and motivate rest of the residents
to carry flood insurance.
· Approximately 65% of the properties experienced flooding in their homes and a majority
of the residents identify the overbank flooding, storm sewer backup, or drainage from
neighboring properties as the main cause of flooding. The existing drainage CIP agrees
with the source identified by the residents. The existing drainage CIP developed based on
the City’s Master Drainage Plan recommendation, Hurricane Harvey Assessment and
drainage concerns brought to the City’s attention agree with the source identified by the
residents. The city needs to continue to develop drainage plans to address flooding issues.
· Approximately 96% of the residents own homes and more than 55% of the residents have
been living in the same home for more than 10 years. Drainage improvements in the older
neighborhoods should be prioritized based on the age of the infrastructure which is also
one of the metrics used in developing and prioritizing drainage bond projects. The concept
shall be used in future CIP drainage plans.
A copy of the letter is included in Appendix A. Questions from the Flood Protection Survey and a
summary of the responses are included in Appendix B.
4.0 COLLECT BUILDING DATA
An essential part of the RLAA process involved assessing the flood risk each building faced
based, in part, on the specific characteristics of that structure. Each structure was researched
using the applicable county’s appraisal district, as well as the Team’s knowledge of the areas and
observations noted in the field.
4.1 Appraisal Districts
The Team procured the majority of building data from the online appraisal districts of Brazoria
County, Fort Bend County, and Harris County. The information available in the public versions of
the appraisal districts’ database included year of construction and foundation type. The data from
the appraisal district was combined with the data available on FEMA’s repetitive loss list, as well
as the Team’s knowledge of the areas, to form a comprehensive view of each structure at risk in
the RLAs. The building data helped determine the level of risk for each structure such as
identifying how a common source of flooding might affect a house built in 1940 vs one built in
1990. Older homes, such as pre-FIRM structures, were not required to meet the higher standards
the City currently enforces such as freeboard above the base flood elevation. This extra level of
protection has helped diminish the flooding risk to newer structures or structures that have been
substantially damaged or improved. A substantially damaged building is one where the cost of
repairing the structure to its pre-flood condition is greater than 50% of the market value of the
structure. When a structure has been declared substantially damaged, it is required that the
structure be brought into the current code and regulations per the City’s Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance. Most often, coming into compliance means elevating the structure to the City’s
freeboard level for added protection from the base flood.
4.2 Field Data
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 9
In addition to data from the appraisal districts, the Team observed properties in the field. City staff
canvassed the RLAs and captured ground elevation differences, drainage patterns, and nearby
drainage features such as inlets, culverts, or storm drains. This data helped in understanding
where and how each property drained, and whether or not water collecting in the lot or drainage
from nearby structures may have contributed to previous flooding. The Team also conducted
observations of the natural channels and drainage systems to see how vegetation or other
obstructions may affect the channel’s ability to function optimally.
5.0 CONTACT OTHER AGENCIES
Prior to identifying the best mitigation option for the RLA properties, the Team gathered
information on ongoing or future studies and projects conducted by other entities and
organizations in the area. The Team contacted three entities via email to request this information.
(A copy of the email from the City is included in Appendix C.)
5.1 Brazoria Drainage District No. 4
The City did not receive a direct response to their request for information from Brazoria Drainage
District No. 4 (BDD4); however, the City is already aware of the various projects conducted with
and by this entity. For instance, the City and BDD4 have worked together to construct several
joint venture regional detention projects, and both entities are in active collaboration with four
regional detention floodplain reduction projects: Clear Creek, Hickory Slough, Mary’s Creek, and
Cowart Creek. Applicable BDD4 projects are identified and described for the appropriate RLAs in
Section 6.
5.2 Texas Department of Transportation
The City did not receive a response to their request for information from the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT). Based on existing TxDOT projects in the Pearland jurisdiction, the City
believes the projects will not have an impact (positive or negative) on the flood risk in the repetitive
loss areas.
5.3 Harris County Flood Control District
The City did not receive a response to their request for information from the Harris County Flood
Control District (HCFCD), however, the City is already aware of the various projects conducted
by this entity such as the Clear Creek Federal Project. The City and HCFCD are both members
of the Clear Creek Watershed Steering Committee (CCWSC) and participate in bimonthly
meetings. In addition, the City, HCFCD, and BDD4 hold a quarterly project update status meeting
specifically on Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management project. These projects are identified
and described in Section 6.
6.0 REPETITIVE LOSS AREAS
Given the scattered nature of the RLAs throughout the city, it made sense to group them into
general, geographical areas that faced the same cause of flooding. Section 6 of this report
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 10
discusses the 72 RLAs in each of the 13 general locations. Note that RLAs in any given area are
not necessarily in sequential order. For instance, the West Pearland Area includes RLAs 5, 6,
and 12. Below is a table of the general locations and the RLA numbers included in each of them.
Each sub-section in Section 6 is named for the general location of the city (in alphabetical order)
that contains the RLA(s), describes the cause of flooding and/or flood risk for the RLAs, features
the RLAs on a GIS map, explores the six (6) FEMA mitigation categories (listed below), and
recommends the appropriate mitigation alternative(s). At the end of Section 6, there is a summary
table of recommended mitigation alternatives per sub-section.
6.1 Central Area
6.1.1 Cause of Flooding
The Central Area is comprised of RLAs 10, 13, 29, and 30. The table below breaks down the
RLAs to demonstrate the number of FEMA repetitive loss properties within them. Homes in RLAs
10, 29, and 30 were built in the mid-1960s, and are located outside of 100-year and 500-year
floodplains on the current FIRM. These properties are in older neighborhoods, and do not meet
current engineering drainage design guidelines such as detention requirements, minimum finish
floor elevation requirements, no impact to downstream mitigation requirements, and adequate
conveyance capacity. The drainage system within the subdivision, as well as the conveyance
Preventative Property Protection
Natural Resource Protection Emergency Services
Structural Projects Public Information
Mitigation Categories
General Location Repetitive Loss Areas
Central Area 10, 13, 29, 30
Clear Creek Area 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Corrigan Area 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Cowart's Creek Area 7
Dixie Farm Area 62, 63
East Clear Creek Area 1, 3, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72
East Mary's Creek Area 57, 58, 59, 60, 61
Green Tea Area 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Hickory Slough Area 4, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 28
Old Town Area 6, 9, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50
West Lea Area 26, 27
West Mary's Creek Area 2, 11
West Pearland Area 5, 8, 12
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 11
channel that removes the stormwater from the subdivision, is undersized and is in need of
drainage improvements.
6.1.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on the four RLAs located in the Central Area. Considerations were given to the location of the
nearest channel, flood zone, age and condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and
potential to reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended for RLAs 10, 13, 29, and 30.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
10 3 1
13 6 2
29 10 3
30 15 3
TOTAL 34 9
Central Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 12
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its Unified Development Code (UDC), Engineering Design Criteria Manual
(EDCM), and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-8). One such requirement is
for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the 100-year floodplain to have
its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation. The freeboard
extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well. The City has also adopted Atlas 14 rainfall
for H&H analysis and design, as well as the floodplain fill mitigation requirement up to the 500-
year storm event. This requirement for compensatory storage helps to balance out the amount of
development occurring in Pearland. However, since the properties in RLAs 10, 13, 29, and 30 are
located outside of the 100- and 500-year floodplain, the preventative mitigation alternative would
not have a positive impact on these RLAs.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project to all the RLA properties as well as an extensive outreach campaign to all
residents (explained further in Public Information). Through the City’s outreach, residents are
encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-one site visit to explore property
protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding. One of the repetitive flood loss
homes in RLA 10 has qualified for home elevation through the 2019 Flood Mitigation Assistance
(FMA) grant, but has yet to be elevated. Similarly, one of the repetitive flood loss homes will be
elevated through the FMA 2020 home elevation grant.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the National Weather Service (NWS) and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS
probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will
exceed their banks based on a 90-day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided
by a series of approximately 18 stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most
prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional
gauges located in a close proximity to the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning
system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an
hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional
flood warning system is provided in several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents
and public safety officials can register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a
specified water elevation. Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge
emergency notification system and the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood
safety tips to users. Post-storm activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected
flood damage with response and recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City is in the process of several structural projects that should help alleviate the flooding
problem in these RLAs. For instance, the City completed a street and drainage improvement
project (Wagon Trail, Cantu St, and Ochoa St) in 2018 to address repetitive flood loss in RLA 30
and completed a drainage improvement project along Piper Road (RLA 10) in 2021. The City has
also developed a drainage improvement plan for RLA 29 which is included in the drainage bond
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 13
referendum that passed in May 2023. The projects are identified as the Garden Acre
subdivision/Hickory Creek subdivision drainage improvement in RLA 29. In addition, Harkey Road
Street and Drainage Project funded through a drainage bond is expected to improve the drainage
from FM 518 to Mary's Creek in RLA 30.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.2 Clear Creek Area
6.2.1 Cause of Flooding
The Clear Creek area is comprised of six (6) RLAs: RLAs 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. These areas
are located between Clear Creek and Hickory Slough, and are mostly located in the floodway and
100-year floodplain. The 1960 plat date of these subdivisions indicates that the homes were built
prior to the adoption of engineering design guidelines such as detention requirement, minimum
finish floor elevation requirement, no impact to downstream, and conveyance capacity. Analysis
of the natural ground elevation (40’ approximately) compared to the 100-year flood elevation (43’
approximately) as depicted on the FEMA FIRM reveals that the area has greater potential to be
flooded due to the water surface elevation of Clear Creek and Hickory Slough during an extreme
storm event. Most homes in this area have a finished floor elevation below the 100-year flood
elevation, and it would be challenging to significantly lower the flood elevation of Clear Creek to
prevent existing homes from flooding.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Structural Projects City of Pearland Bond Ongoing
Public Information City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 14
6.2.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
20 96 35
21 3 1
22 9 2
23 8 4
24 38 12
25 4 1
TOTAL 158 55
Clear Creek Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 15
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well. The City has also
adopted Atlas 14 rainfall for H&H analysis and design, as well as the floodplain fill mitigation
requirement up to the 500-year storm event. This requirement for compensatory storage helps to
balance out the amount of development occurring in Pearland.
Property Protection
Several properties in this area took advantage of the buyout program through FEMA grants after
Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. In addition, the City and BDD4 bought several properties after
Hurricane Harvey in 2017. There is potential for the City to pursue future mitigation grants for
acquisitions if there is enough interest and the structures qualify.
Natural Resource Protection
Upstream from RLA 8 is the Shadow Creek Ranch Nature Trail which is managed by the City’s
Parks and Recreation Department as a natural area park focusing on preserving habitat and
providing nature experiences for the community. The park is approximately 36 acres bordering
Clear Creek and includes 12.5 acres of emergent wetlands. This is also the site where the City is
restoring 10 acres of historic coastal tallgrass prairie. The prairie restoration project included
removing a monoculture Chinese Tallow Triadica sebifera stand and the re-introduction of locally
native prairie plants through seeding and plantings. Currently, 239 species of birds have been
documented in the park including several species listed on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s
Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as LeConte’s Sparrow. The park features a paved
walking path with interpretive signage providing information on native wildlife and plants found in
the park. Along the trail is an elevated viewing platform near the wetlands. This site provides many
ecological services to the area, such as, storing stormwater, reducing runoff, improving water and
air quality, and serving as a valuable sanctuary for native flora and fauna while also allowing for
abundant outdoor nature experiences.
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management Project is a joint venture effort between the
City, US Army Corps of Engineers, HCFCD, Galveston County, BDD4, and is expected to widen
Clear Creek to improve the drainage along Clear Creek. The construction of the project is
anticipated to be completed by 2032 based on the information received from HCFCD. This area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 16
is identified for future regional detention site but not identified in the City’s five-year CIP yet as the
project size and scope will be dependent on the Clear Creek project. The current project limit
does not go beyond the city limit of Pearland, but Clear Creek needs to be improved all the way
to Clear Lake in order to see the full drainage benefit in all areas near and around the creek.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.3 Corrigan Area
6.3.1 Cause of Flooding
The Corrigan Area is comprised of five (5) RLAs: RLA 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35. This area is in an
older neighborhood that was platted sometime in 1967 and is mostly located in the FEMA 100-
year and 500-year floodplain. The homes in the subdivision were built prior to the adoption of
engineering design guidelines and FEMA FIRM by the City. Analysis of the street elevation
(lowest 44’ approx.) compared to the 100-year flood elevation (49’ approx.) as depicted on FEMA
FIRM reveals that the area has greater potential to be flooded due to the water surface elevation
of Mary’s Creek. Most homes in this area have a finished floor elevation below the 100-year flood
elevation, and it would be challenging to significantly lower the flood elevation of Mary’s Creek to
prevent existing homes from flooding.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Natural Resource Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Structural Projects Joint venture Bond Ongoing
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 17
6.3.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
31 35 10
32 10 4
33 2 1
34 56 27
35 11 7
TOTAL 114 49
Corrigan Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 18
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well. The City has also
adopted Atlas 14 rainfall for H&H analysis and design, as well as the floodplain fill mitigation
requirement up to the 500-year storm event. This requirement for compensatory storage helps to
balance out the amount of development occurring in Pearland.
Property Protection
Several properties in this area have taken advantage of the buyout program through FEMA grants
after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001,and are currently maintained by the City as open space. There
is potential for the City to pursue future mitigation grants for acquisitions if there is enough interest
and the structures qualify.
Natural Resource Protection
Northwest of RLAs 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 is Centennial Park which is a mixed-use site that
features softball fields, tennis courts, playground, splashpad, walking trails, open greenspace,
and a protected natural wetland area. The natural wetland area within the park is 15 acres in size
that is made up of a chain of wetland depressions adjacent to Mary’s Creek. This site has been
identified by the City as an important environmental area to be preserved. These natural wetlands
help mitigate local flooding issues, filter stormwater before entering Mary’s Creek, and provide
wildlife habitat along with other environmental services. Interpretive signage is located along the
trail bordering the wetland site to educate visitors on functions, plants, and animals associated
with the area.
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City constructed a Corrigan bypass channel in 2005 to divert the flow going through the
neighborhood which improved the conveyance and provided linear detention volume to reduce
the flood risk. The Corrigan bypass channel, Corrigan Detention pond, and Veteran’s Regional
Detention ponds were constructed to reduce flooding problems in this neighborhood. Similarly,
the drainage of the subdivision was improved by upgrading the storm sewer system in the
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 19
neighborhood through funding from mobility and drainage bonds in 2007. The drainage
improvement has helped to mitigate localized flooding problems, but flooding during extreme
events such as Hurricane Harvey will be difficult to prevent due to Mary’s Creek’s elevation.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure in the summer utility bills and a storm sewer brochure in the fall, and the City’s
Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper delivered to every
home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation center, and social
media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection Information page on its
website with information and links on various topics such as flood insurance, flood warning
system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood safety measures.
6.4 Cowart’s Creek Area
6.4.1 Cause of Flooding
RLA 1 lies outside of the 100-year and 500-year FEMA floodplain, but experiences localized
flooding. The properties in RLA 7 were platted in 1978. It is possible that the street drainage
system was not properly designed to carry the flow during extreme storm events. In addition, the
cross culvert across SH35 that is owned and maintained by TxDOT is restricting the flow from the
west side, resulting in flooding of the commercial properties during an extreme storm event.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
Natural Resource Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Structural Projects City of Pearland CIP Completed
SUMMARY TABLE
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
Cowart's Creek Area 7 7 2
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 20
6.4.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on this RLA including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8); however, since the properties in RLA 7 are located outside of the 100- and 500-year floodplain,
these regulations would have little to no effect to alleviate the repetitive flooding in this RLA.
Property Protection
It is recommended that the commercial business owner implement floodproofing of the buildings
to protect the property from flooding and to carry flood insurance. The City promotes the purchase
and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted outreach project as well as an
extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLA in this area.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 21
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City realigned the Industrial Drive at State Highway 35 in 2017 which has helped to reduce
the flooding problem in this area as the project included realignment of roadside ditch and ditch
regrading. In addition, reconstruction of the Industrial Drive has been identified as a five-year
infrastructure recapitalization project by Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC)
which will include a concrete curb and gutter roadway, storm sewer system, and a detention pond
to reduce the flooding of this area. PEDC is a non-profit Type B Corporation under the Texas
Development Corporation Act and provides funding for several city infrastructure projects.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Property Protection Business owners Private Dependent on funding
Structural Projects PEDC PEDC Ongoing
Public Information City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 22
6.5 Dixie Farm Area
6.5.1 Cause of Flooding
The Dixie Farm area is made up of RLAs 62 and 63. RLA 62 is outside of the FEMA floodplain.
The homes may have been built in 1970 based on the Brazoria County appraisal district
information and the latest flood loss claim was in 2006. RLA 63 consists of two different
neighborhoods. The subdivision located south side of FM 518 is outside of the FEMA floodplain
but experiences repetitive flood loss due to localized drainage problems. It has an inefficient
drainage system restricting the stormwater to reach Mary’s Creek bypass channel.
6.5.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
62 13 1
63 65 4
TOTAL 78 5
Dixie Farm Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 23
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
In fact, several repetitively flooded homes in RLA 63 have been removed and reconstructed.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
In addition, the City’s public GIS includes a layer showing locations of highwater markers (map
on the following page) that are predominantly located within RLA 63. These high-water markers
are indicative of past flooding problems, and are a reminder to residents that the threat of flooding
is still present in the area.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 24
Structural Projects
Reconstruction of Dixie Farm Road in 2011 with a properly designed drainage system may have
helped to alleviate localized drainage issues in RLA 62. In addition, the City has developed a
drainage improvement plan which will include conveyance improvement and detention for RLA
63 which was included in the drainage bond referendum in May 2023. The residential property
located north side of FM 518 has been demolished and reconstructed as a commercial property.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Emergency Services City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Property Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Public Information City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 25
6.6 East Clear Creek Area
6.6.1 Cause of Flooding
The East Clear Creek Area consists of 11 RLAs: RLAs 1, 3, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and
72. The main source of flooding of the residential and commercial development in these RLAs is
Clear Creek flood water. Most of the residential and commercial structures built along Clear Creek
predate the engineering design requirement adopted by the City. The structures are constructed
below FEMA 100-year floodplain and without the provision of stormwater and floodplain fill
mitigation requirements.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
1 31 30
3 3 2
64 4 1
65 29 3
66 9 1
67 5 3
68 11 10
69 4 4
70 6 5
71 11 5
72 4 1
TOTAL 117 65
East Clear
Creek Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 26
6.6.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well. The City has
also adopted Atlas 14 rainfall for H&H analysis and design, as well as the floodplain fill mitigation
requirement up to the 500-year storm event. This requirement for compensatory storage helps to
balance out the amount of development occurring in Pearland.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to all residents. Through the City’s
outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-one site
visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding. Several
properties in these areas took advantage of the buyout program through FEMA mitigation grants
after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Most of the repetitive loss homes in these RLAs are
candidates for elevation or buyout due to their location with respect to Clear Creek floodway and
floodplain.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 27
Structural Projects
The Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management Project is expected to widen Clear Creek to
improve the drainage along Clear Creek. The construction of the project is anticipated to be
completed by 2032 based on the information received from HCFCD. The project is a joint venture
effort between the City, US Army Corps of Engineers, HCFCD, Galveston County, and BDD4. In
2022, the City completed a street and drainage improvement project in RLAs 69 and 70. The
proposed future plan includes the construction of a regional detention pond in the City-owned
property adjacent to RLA 65. It is expected to be a joint venture project and Galveston County
Consolidated District will be the main lead for the project.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.7 East Mary’s Creek Area
6.7.1 Cause of Flooding
The East Mary’s Creek Area consists of five (5) RLAs: RLAs 57, 58, 59, 60, and 61. All the
properties in these five RLAs are located in an older neighborhood with inadequate drainage
conveyance system that predates the adoption of engineering guidelines such as the detention
requirement, minimum finished floor elevation requirement, no impact to downstream, and
conveyance capacity. The repetitive flooding of RLAs 57, 59, and 60 can be attributed to inefficient
drainage systems causing localized flooding. Similarly, RLAs 58 and 61 may have localized
flooding, as well as the impact of riverine flooding.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
Structural Projects Joint venture Bond Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 28
6.7.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
57 4 1
58 12 3
59 3 1
60 6 3
61 3 1
TOTAL 28 9
East Mary's
Creek Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 29
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
In 2012, the City constructed a 204 ac-ft East Mary’s Creek regional detention pond to reduce the
flooding of the area. In addition, BDD4 constructed Mary’s Creek Bypass Channel to improve the
drainage of the area. The City has developed a drainage improvement plan to address drainage
issues in RLA 60 and 61 which was included in the drainage bond referendum in May 2023. The
construction of Pearland Pkwy between Oiler Drive and Dixie Farm included storm sewer system
and Shadycrest ditch improvement which has helped alleviate the drainage problem in RLA 59.
RLA 58 will be considered for future drainage improvement.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 30
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.8 Green Tee Area
6.8.1 Cause of Flooding
There are six (6) RLAs located in the Green Tea Area: RLAs 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56. All the
properties in these RLAs are in the FEMA 500-year floodplain and are in older neighborhoods
with inadequate drainage conveyance systems. The construction of a curb and gutter roadway
with storm sewer system indicates the use of engineering design criteria adopted in 1980. The
design criteria during this time did not require detention mitigation and minimum finish floor
elevation. Based on the analysis of flood history, most of the residential homes have flooded due
to inefficient storm sewer systems.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
Structural Projects City of Pearland Bond Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
51 4 4
52 6 8
53 4 2
54 4 2
55 3 2
56 3 2
TOTAL 24 20
Green Tee Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 31
6.8.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 32
Emergency Services
The City’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided by the NWS
and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks) which
forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-day
precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18 stream
gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear Creek,
Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to the city.
These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and BDD4,
measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation relative to
the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in several areas
on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can register to receive
alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation. Residents are also
encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and the
Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
Reconstruction of the street and drainage system would alleviate localized flooding but will not be
economically feasible as the flood loss homes are spread over several sections of the subdivision.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.9 Hickory Slough Area
6.9.1 Cause of Flooding
There are eight (8) RLAs in the Hickory Slough Area: RLAs 4, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 28. All
of the properties identified in the picture are located in an older neighborhood with inadequate
drainage conveyance system and predates the adoption of engineering guidelines such as the
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Public Information City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 33
detention requirement, minimum finish floor elevation requirement, no impact to downstream, and
conveyance capacity regulations. All residential homes in these RLAs are located on the north
side of Hickory Slough and are in FEMA 100-year floodplain. The lowest street elevation in RLAs
14, 15, and 16 is about 2.5 feet below the 100-year FEMA floodplain elevation (47.5 feet
approximately). Repetitive flooding of the area along the north side of Hickory Slough can be
attributed to both localized flooding and riverine flooding.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
4 2 1
14 3 1
15 3 1
16 47 8
17 2 1
18 2 1
19 8 1
28 13 2
TOTAL 80 16
Hickory
Slough Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 34
6.9.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on a pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Several properties in this area took advantage of the buyout program through FEMA grants after
Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. In addition, the City and BDD4 bought several properties after
Hurricane Harvey in 2017. There is potential for the City to pursue future mitigation grants for
acquisitions if there is enough interest and the structures qualify.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City has developed a drainage improvement plan to address drainage issues in RLAs 13, 14,
15, and 16. Funding from the General Land Office (GLO) has already been secured to improve
drainage system in these areas. The City and BDD4 have a joint venture regional detention (230
ac-ft) project to help reduce flooding of this area which is expected to be complete in 2024.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 35
Similarly, the City developed a drainage plan to address localized flooding in RLA 28 which was
included in the drainage bond referendum in May 2023.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.10 Old Town Area
6.10.1 Cause of Flooding
Old Town Area includes 17 RLAs: RLAs 6, 9, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, and 50. Most of the RLAs in the Old Town Area are the oldest parts of Pearland which were
platted in 1894 and are collectively known as Old Town Site. The RLAs consist of a mix of
commercial and residential development and experiences repetitive flood loss due to an inefficient
drainage system with inadequate drainage conveyance that predates the adoption of engineering
guidelines such as the detention requirement, minimum finish floor elevation requirement, no
impact to downstream, and conveyance capacity regulations. Localized flooding due to inefficient
systems is the main cause of flooding.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
Structural Projects Joint venture GLO Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 36
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
6 15 1
9 3 1
36 2 2
37 18 10
38 6 3
39 3 1
40 3 1
41 4 2
42 27 4
43 5 1
44 2 2
45 14 1
46 2 1
47 2 1
48 5 2
49 13 3
50 11 5
TOTAL 135 41
Old Town Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 37
6.10.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on a pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Natural Resource Protection
Mitigation alternatives under natural resource protection were considered by the Team, but
deemed not feasible for the RLAs in this area.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City completed a drainage improvement project in 2021 to address the drainage issue in RLA
37. Reconstruction of the street and drainage in RLAs 37, 38, and 39 is currently under
construction and expected to be completed by 2023. The City has developed a drainage
improvement plan to address drainage issues in RLAs 42, 44,48, 49, and 50 which were included
in the drainage bond referendum in May 2023. Walnut Street drainage improvement project with
a detention system was completed to address the drainage issue in RLAs 44 and 45. Similarly,
the drainage system within the same area is under construction and expected to complete by the
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 38
end of 2023. The southwest quadrant of Old Town site and Old Alvin Road drainage
improvements will address the flooding issues in RLA 50.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.11 West Lea Area
6.11.1 Cause of Flooding
There are two (2) RLAs in the West Lea Area – RLAs 26 and 27 – and both are located between
Mary’s Creek and Cowart’s Creek and are mostly in the FEMA 100-year floodplain. The plat date
of 1964 for these subdivisions indicates that the homes were built prior to the adoption of
engineering design guidelines and FEMA FIRM by the City. Analysis of the lowest street elevation
(50 ft approximately) compared to the 100-year flood elevation (52 ft approximately) as depicted
on the FEMA FIRM reveals that the areas have greater potential to be flooded due to the water
surface elevation of Mary’s Creek. Most homes in these areas have a finished floor elevation
below the current 100-year flood elevation, and it would be challenging to significantly lower the
flood elevation of Mary’s Creek to prevent existing homes from flooding.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
Structural Projects City of Pearland Bond Ongoing
Public Information City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
26 47 6
27 3 1
TOTAL 50 7
West Lea Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 39
6.11.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on a pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Several properties in this area took advantage of the buyout program through FEMA grants after
Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. In addition, the City and BDD4 bought several properties after
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 40
Hurricane Harvey in 2017. There is potential for the City to pursue future mitigation grants for
acquisitions if there is enough interest and the structures qualify. There is a current CIP that is
addressing the flood protection.
Natural Resource Protection
The Magnolia Parkway Ponds are 63 acres of created wetlands within two stormwater retention
basins. These ponds act as functioning wetlands and serve RLAs 26 and 27 for stormwater
retention requirements. These basins have been designed to support wetland vegetation by
holding very shallow water and consisting of more gradual slopes. The associated wetland
vegetation helps to filter stormwater before entering Mary’s Creek improving water quality for the
area. The establishment of wetland vegetation is important for providing wildlife habitat and this
site has become a popular birding spot due to the high concentration of waterbirds present.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
Reconstruction of the street drainage system, along with a linear detention pond, is currently
under construction and expected to be completed by 2023. This drainage reconstruction project
is expected to help mitigate localized flooding problems in these RLAs, but will not be able to
prevent flooding of homes from extreme event storms such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 as the
finish floor elevation of most of the older homes are below 100-year water surface elevation of
Mary’s Creek. A portion of RLA 26 drains into the Bailey Road drainage system. The construction
of Bailey Road drainage system has helped to improve the drainage of the area adjacent to Bailey
Road.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 41
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.12 West Mary’s Creek Area
6.12.1 Cause of Flooding
There are two (2) properties in the West Mary’s Creek Area: RLAs 2 and 11. The properties in
these RLAs are located in an older neighborhood with an inadequate drainage conveyance
system and predate the adoption of engineering guidelines such as the detention requirement,
minimum finish floor elevation requirement, no impact to downstream, and conveyance capacity
regulations. The cause of flooding for RLA 2 can be attributed to an inefficient drainage system;
whereas, the cause for RLA 11 may be the result of both the localized flooding and riverine
flooding due to its nexus to Mary’s Creek.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative City of Pearland Operating budget Ongoing
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
Natural Resource Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Structural Projects City of Pearland CIP Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
2 21 3
11 3 1
TOTAL 24 4
West Mary's
Creek Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 42
6.12.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including the condition of the homes, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and potential
to reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on a pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
Several properties in RLA 11 have taken advantage of the buyout program through FEMA grants
after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 to eliminate repetitive flood loss. There is potential for the City
to pursue more acquisitions through future mitigation grants.
Natural Resource Protection
Centennial Park is southwest of RLA2 and is a mixed-use site that features softball fields, tennis
courts, playground, splashpad, walking trails, open greenspace, and a protected natural wetland
area. The natural wetland area is 15 acres in size that is made up of a chain of wetland
depressions adjacent to Mary’s Creek. This site has been identified by the City as an important
environmental area to be preserved. These natural wetlands help mitigate local flooding issues,
filter stormwater before entering Mary’s Creek, and provide wildlife habitat along with other
environmental services. Interpretive signage is located along the trail bordering the wetland site
to educate visitors on functions, plants, and animals associated with the area.
The John Hargrove Environmental Complex (JHEC) is a site that focuses on stormwater retention
and environmental preservation and education that also affects RLA 11. JHEC is approximately
77 acres that consists of two large retention ponds (50 acres total) that serve as
area/neighborhood stormwater retention. This is also the site of the first municipal floating
wetlands in Texas. Floating wetlands are large, artificial floating mats designed to support wetland
vegetation. The roots grow through the mat and suspend in the water column to help filter
contaminates before entering Mary’s Creek and provide habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
Looping around the ponds is almost two miles of trails for exercising and wildlife viewing. This site
also has multiple no mow zones and over 1,000 native trees that have been planted as a forest
creation project to provide natural habitat and help filter pollutants from incoming stormwater.
JHEC also hosts a nesting colony of waterbirds making this a very important wildlife site protected
by the City as well as federal law. A survey in 2023 counted 907 nesting pairs of egrets, herons,
cormorants, ibis, and spoonbill. The City of Pearland recently constructed and opened the Delores
Fenwick Nature Center (DFNC) on this site. The DFNC is open to the public at no cost and
features a variety of nature-based educational exhibits, daily programming, and trained staff to
interact with the community.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 43
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
The City constructed a 433 ac-ft (John Hargrove Environmental Center) regional detention pond
in 2006 to alleviate the flooding of RLA 11. In addition, a large regional detention pond (127 ac-
ft) was constructed downstream of RLA 2 to help reduce the flooding problem.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
6.13 West Pearland Area
6.13.1 Cause of Flooding
There are three (3) RLAs in the West Pearland Area: RLAs 5, 8, and 12. RLA 5 is located in the
FEMA 100-year floodplain. The subdivision consists of a curb and gutter street with an
underground storm sewer system. The main source of flooding for these properties appears to be
localized flooding. RLAs 8 and 12 were constructed around the year 2000 and followed the
engineering design guidelines at that time which were not as stringent as current requirements.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
Natural Resource Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
Structural Projects City of Pearland CIP Ongoing
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 44
The structures may have been built below the 100-year elevation, as those project areas are
located outside of the limit of FEMA study. Tail water condition of Hickory Slough in the upstream
section may have caused the slow movement of water causing inundation of the properties.
6.13.2 Mitigation Alternatives
The Team evaluated several mitigation options to determine what would have the greatest impact
on these RLAs including condition of the homes, cost effectiveness, feasibility, and potential to
reduce future flood risk. Below is a summary of mitigation alternatives considered and
recommended.
General Area RLA #
Total # of
Properties
Total # of FEMA RLs
within RLA
5 2 1
8 4 1
12 4 1
TOTAL 10 3
West Pearland Area
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 45
Preventative
The City has adopted and implemented higher standards for residential and commercial
development through its UDC, EDCM, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 532-
8). One such requirement is for all new and substantially damaged/improved construction in the
100-year floodplain to have its lowest floor and utilities elevated to one foot above the base flood
elevation, and to be built on a pier and beam to avoid filling in the floodplain in this area. The
freeboard requirement also extends to the shaded X/500-year floodplain as well.
Property Protection
The City promotes the purchase and maintenance of flood insurance via an annual targeted
outreach project as well as an extensive outreach campaign to everyone in the city. Through the
City’s outreach, residents are encouraged to contact City staff for advice or to request a one-on-
one site visit to explore property protection options such as elevation grants via mitigation funding.
Natural Resource Protection
Downstream of RLA 8 is the Shadow Creek Ranch Natural Trail that is managed by the City’s
Parks and Recreation Department as a natural area park focusing on preserving habitat and
providing nature experiences for the community. The park is approximately 36 acres bordering
Clear Creek and includes 12.5 acres of emergent wetlands. This is also the site where the City is
restoring 10 acres of historic coastal tallgrass prairie. The prairie restoration project included
removing a monoculture Chinese Tallow Triadica sebifera stand and the reintroduction of locally
native prairie plants through seeding and plantings. Currently, 239 species of birds have been
documented in the park including several species listed on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s
Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as LeConte’s Sparrow. The park features a paved
walking path with interpretive signage providing information on native wildlife and plants found in
the park. Along the trail is an elevated viewing platform near the wetlands. This site provides many
ecological services to the area, such as, storing stormwater, reducing runoff, improving water and
air quality, and serving as a valuable sanctuary for native flora and fauna while also allowing for
abundant outdoor nature experiences.
Emergency Services
The City of Pearland’s flood warning program relies largely upon flood threat recognition provided
by the NWS and climatological projections (i.e., quarterly NWS probabilistic hydrologic outlooks)
which forecast the probability that specific drainage canals will exceed their banks based on a 90-
day precipitation forecast. Advance flood warning is provided by a series of approximately 18
stream gauges located within the City of Pearland’s most prominent drainage streams (i.e., Clear
Creek, Mary’s Creek, Hickory Slough, etc.), and additional gauges located in a close proximity to
the city. These gauges, part of a regional flood warning system, maintained by the HCFCD and
BDD4, measure and report rainfall in real-time on an hourly basis, as well as water elevation
relative to the top of the stream bank. A link to the regional flood warning system is provided in
several areas on the City’s website. In addition, both residents and public safety officials can
register to receive alerts when specific stream gauges exceed a specified water elevation.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the Everbridge emergency notification system and
the Connect2Pearland app that relay flood warnings and flood safety tips to users. Post-storm
activities include posting door hangers on homes of suspected flood damage with response and
recovery information and posts on social media.
Structural Projects
Improving the conveyance capacity of Hickory Slough along with the provision of a regional
detention pond will help to reduce the repetitive flood loss. A large drainage improvement project
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 46
will not be economically feasible as the repetitive loss homes are spread over several sections of
the subdivision.
Public Information
Part of the City’s extensive public outreach involves a targeted, annual mailing in June/July to the
owners of all 862 properties in the RLAs. The RLA mailing is in both English and Spanish, and
includes basic floodplain management-related messages, as well as information on property
protection and sources of financial assistance such as mitigation grants. Other methods of public
outreach include the City’s Engineering Department’s mailing of a “What You Need to Know” flood
hazard brochure and a storm sewer brochure are distributed on an annual basis in the utility bills,
and the City’s Office of Emergency Management’s insert in the Community Impact newspaper
delivered to every home, flood safety messages scrolling on treadmill screens in the recreation
center, and social media posts. The City also maintains a comprehensive Flood Protection
Information page on its website with information and links on various topics such as flood
insurance, flood warning system, property protection, natural and beneficial functions, and flood
safety measures.
7.0 CONCLUSION
The city of Pearland has faced its share of storm events such that drainage improvements and
other structural projects remain a priority when it comes to CIP projects, bonds, and mitigation
funding. As an ongoing measure, the City strives to alleviate the flooding hazard through drainage
maintenance, implementation of higher standards in ordinances and criteria manuals,
comprehensive outreach campaigns, natural floodplain functions, emergency services, and
programs that focus on protecting the city’s waterways. The City is also proactive in heading off
potential events through its strict policies on developing the floodplain in both current and future
conditions. As a result, more residents are doing their part to protect themselves and their
properties such as purchasing and maintaining flood insurance, keeping storm drains clear of
debris, and other forms of property protection. The City will continue its drainage improvement
program to reduce flooding hazards through drainage maintenance, the use of higher design
standards in ordinances and criteria manuals, comprehensive outreach campaigns, and
programs that focus on protecting the city’s waterways. In addition, grant applications for drainage
projects, and drainage partnership projects with key stakeholders such as PEDC, HCFCD, BDD4,
etc. shall be continued. Through ongoing outreach and aggressive mitigation measures, the City
remains confident it can reduce future flood damage for the benefit of its residents.
.
RLAs -
Recommended
Mitigation Alternative Responsibility Funding Timeline
Preventative Engineering Operating budget Ongoing
Property Protection City of Pearland Mitigation grant Dependent on funding
Natural Resource Protection City of Pearland Operating budget Completed
SUMMARY TABLE
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 47
APPENDIX A
Below is a screenshot of the letter the City of Pearland mailed to 862 property owners on April
25, 2022.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 48
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 49
APPENDIX B
Within the letter to the property owners (Appendix A), the City included a link and a QR code to
an online Flood Protection Survey. Below are the questions and summary responses from the
survey that received 54 responses.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 50
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 51
· Approximately half of the respondents reported damage
from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
· Respondents also referred to flooding caused by
Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.
· Most common complaint was with regards to
inadequate drainage.
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 52
City of Pearland Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Page 53
APPENDIX C
The City reached out via email to three entities – BDD4, TxDOT, and HCFCD – for feedback on
any planned or current projects that might affect the RLAs. Their responses are included in
Section 5 of this RLAA. Below is the content of each email sent by the City.
Good Afternoon,
The City of Pearland is in the process of developing a Repetitive Loss Area Analysis to examine the
causes of repetitive flooding and consider appropriate mitigation efforts. As such, the City is looking
for any planned or current projects or drainage studies administered by neighboring communities or
entities that may have an impact on the flooding problem in Pearland.
Please advise if you are aware of any such projects and, if so, please provide the following information:
o Project name
o Goal of the project
o Funding source
o Timeline and current status
o A link of the project (if available)
Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Sincerely,
Sasha Buchheit, CFM
Stormwater Coordinator | Engineering & Public Works
2016 Old Alvin Rd | Pearland, TX 77581
P: 281.652.1648
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APPENDIX D
The City mails a repetitive loss area outreach project to the owners of all 862 properties. The letter
includes both English and Spanish, and is mailed in June or July on an annual basis.
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APPENDIX E
The draft Repetitive Loss Area Analysis was posted on the Floodplain Management page on the
City’s website: https://www.pearlandtx.gov/departments/engineering-and-capital-
projects/engineering-division/floodplain-management.
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APPENDIX F
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, Appendix F
containing sensitive and site-specific data will not be shared
with the public.