Two years ago this week, Hurricane Harvey made landfall over Southeast Texas. The storm’s strength didn’t just punish with its heavy…
Tag: Flooding
After years of resident advocacy, Hidalgo County adopts higher standards for drainage and streetlight infrastructure for new model subdivisions
Colonia residents in Hidalgo County have experienced far too much flooding and darkness, the dangerous symptoms of poorly-planned subdivisions where…
New report details how Houston floodplain ordinance can worsen inequality in face of future floods
On April 3, 2018, the Houston City Council voted to make Chapter 19, the city’s Floodplain Management Ordinance, more stringent.…
Tenants at Houston’s flooded, distressed Arbor Court Apartments sue HUD for intentional racial discrimination
(Photo above is of red tag, labeling Arbor Courts as a fire hazard) HUD Secretary Ben Carson declared that conditions…
Surprise rain brings expected flooding to Hidalgo County. It’s time drainage and county officials commit to solutions.
(Photo shows flooded yard in La Mesa colonia) Many Rio Grande Valley residents woke up with floodwater filling their homes…
Part 2: In a segregated Houston unequal neighborhoods mean unequal flood protection
This is the second part of a two-part blog on Texas Housers turning to the courts to direct the U.S.…
Sign the petition to demand an end to chronic flooding in Hidalgo County colonias
I have the privilege of working alongside community members and grassroots leaders with A Resource In Serving Equality (ARISE) and La Unión…
Colonia residents launch drainage campaign in Hidalgo County
Colonia leaders organized with La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) and A Resource In Serving Equality (ARISE), and proudly supported…
After first local Zika transmission, state and local officials must act to protect Rio Grande Valley
The first local transmission of the Zika virus in the state of Texas, and just the second in the country,…
Houston flooding plan fails to provide needed investment or protect civil rights
On August 18, 2016, I provided testimony at a public hearing over the City of Houston’s draft Action Plan for Community…
Years of organizing lead to vital stormwater drainage project for Rio Grande Valley colonias
Inequality is most starkly manifested in the differences between rich and poor neighborhoods. And nowhere is inequality greater than in the…
Update: Disaster recovery legislation still has chance to pass in wake of floods
Update 5/28: Last night, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. of Brownsville, the original sponsor of the Disaster Recovery Housing legislation, attached…