Disaster Management
Access to healthcare, Disaster Response, and Infrastructure Improvements have been identified as areas needing strengthing in Houston Community Disaster Preparedness Plans
Flooding
Houston has a notorius reputation for major rainfall; flooding events and flooding has been a result of that.
Community Survey
Much Like the US Census, the most effective way to help determine the needs of Houston communities is by survey.
Multi-Disaster Management
Houston’s Population is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters. A plan is needed
In follow up to the Community Survey Results the following gaps have been identified:
(1) Access to healthcare – The East Houston Regional Medical Center, was permanently closed in 2017 due to extensive damages from Hurricane Harvey. The hospital had experienced damages from floods previously. Residents on the east side of Houston must travel distances beyond 9 miles for a full service hospital or 15 miles to the Texas Medical Center. There is no direct route on public transportation to the Texas Medical Center or LBJ Hospital
(2) Disaster Response – ACTS will provide public health preparedness information. For example, when asked, 29.3% of households in the surveyed area reported that they did not know what to do if asked to shelter in place. Trainings will be based on FEMA courses: Mutual Aid Agreements, National Incident Management System, and a mitigation course
ACTS has developed a community multi-disaster plan (The Plan) in partnership with Texas Southern University. This community plan will be shared with both city and county agencies for support of local temporary shelter (disaster recovery centers). A plan submitted by the City of Houston for HUD funding to the State of Texas General Land Office (GLO) included a Lilly Pad site within 2 miles of the community. Unfortunately, the plan was not funded by the State of Texas.
The Plan included generators, high water vehicles, access to cooling/ warming stations, food, water, and other necessary resources. Currently, citizens of this community are expected to report to the George R. Brown convention center for sheltering which is 7 miles away. Most communities in the area are cut off by flood water and require high water vehicles for transport. The value of these disaster recovery centers would greatly improve community resilience. Community resilience reduces recovery costs in the long run. If the communities can respond and recover on their own based on local resources, there is less burden on the city, county, and federal government.
(3) Infrastructure improvements remain on the table for funding to minimize flooding of a community that is not in a designated flood plain. The flooding that occurs in Pleasantville are a result of man-made decisions and require coordination between – Texas Department of Transportation, (TxDOT), City of Houston Public Works, Harris County Flood Control and Port Houston
Pleasantville and Clinton Park communities are assigned to the San Jacinto River Watershed, which has not proposed any funding for areas downstream in over 50 years. This neglect must stop!
ACTS has been able to demonstrate that grass roots engagement, citizen science and community activism work to strengthen and empower communities
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