After heavy downpours hit the Houston area Monday night, KPRC 2 received some viewer concerns about flooding and drainage on Kipling Street, as well as on West Alabama Street near Woodhead Street in Montrose.
We reached out to the Houston Public Works Department and got some answers that educated even some of our own team.
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First, they explained how the drainage system works on Houston streets.
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West Alabama Street and Woodhead Street in Montrose. Several vehicles stuck, including a tow truck.
We were told the Houston drainage system is designed for the streets to hold water in a fast, hard rain so the water doesn’t get into houses or businesses.
As the system catches up to an initial downpour or flow of water, the streets will start draining.
The amount of time it takes the streets to drain depends on the rate and amount of water that falls in a given area at a given time.
The way the drainage system works is one explanation for the street flooding in these areas.
However, one viewer let us know that a new drain line was installed in the area, but it doesn’t seem to work.
This sounds like a rational reason for why the streets in the area are not draining immediately, but according to the Houston Public Works Department, the project is not completed yet.
The project began in the fall of 2022, and it is scheduled for completion this summer, which means it could be finished anytime between July and September.
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West Alabama Street and Woodhead Street in Montrose. Several vehicles stuck, including a tow truck.
The project is called the “72 Inch Water Line Along Kipling and Branard from Mt. Vernon to Richmond,” and the budget for the project is $36,695,200.
After reading through the details of the project, there is quite a bit to it.
It involves everything from sewer and storm sewer utilities rehabilitation, replacement, and adjustments to traffic signal replacement and roadway, sidewalk, and wheelchair ramp reconstruction.
For more details on the project, please visit https://www.engagehouston.org/mt-vernon-to-richmond.
And if you have questions about a street flooding or drainage issue in your neighborhood, drop an image or video at Click2Pins and we’ll check it out!