Recovery after Houston's Hurricane Harvey & the Future of Resiliency in Houston - How a CIP Planning Prioritization Tool Determines Stormwater Needs-Based Areas

The aftermath of Houston's Hurricane Harvey has been a second hurricane of debris, paperwork, and mold abatement for many residents. For planners at the City of Houston (City), however, Hurricane Harvey has been an opportunity to gather data, improve commitment to action, and develop well-conceived plans for resiliency throughout the City. As the City rebounds, the tool presented in this abstract will support prioritization of stormwater improvement projects throughout the City. The City partnered with Carollo Engineers, Inc., to create the Stormwater Evaluation Enhancement Tool (SWEET). SWEET is a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis tool developed for the Houston Public Works & Engineering Department to identify and prioritize areas within the City that have drainage and flooding issues. The SWEET evaluates drainage basins by assessing primary categories of stormwater needs including mobility, drainage effectiveness, and identifying structural flooding.