Know Your Flood Hazard
September is typically our most active month for hurricane & tropical storm activity, however it doesn't take a tropical event to cause flooding. You may flood one day, it is only smart to be prepared. Deer Park experienced major flooding during Tropical Storm Allison (2001) and Erin (2007) but we also experienced flooding from simple heavy rain events in 1979, 1981, 1998, 2006 and 2008 and 2010. Know your risk, find out if your property is located in a regulated floodplain by contacting the City's Floodplain Manager but remember, you don't have to be in a floodplain to flood.
What are Deer Park's Hazards?
Deer Park has a network of streams and tributaries that serve to provide drainage for our area, but that can also act as a potential flooding source. The north end of Deer Park city limits is bordered by the Houston Ship Channel, which could be negatively effected by storm surge during tropical events which would also push flood waters through our drainage systems.
Deer Park is located near the Gulf of Mexico along the coastal plain of southeast Texas in an area subject to the natural overflow of land from intense rainfalls. The area is subject to intense local thunderstorms of short duration, general storms extending over periods of several days, and torrential rainfall associated with tropical events. The resulting potential for extreme rainfall events, coupled with the flat topography and poorly draining soils, contribute to the frequent occurrence of flooding.
Deer Park has two major watersheds, Armand Bayou and San Jacinto River. The drainage on the north end of town flows through Boggy Bayou and Patrick's Bayou tributaries to the Houston Ship Channel and then on to San Jacinto River. The south side of town drains through Willow Springs tributary on to Armand Bayou. They all eventually make their way to the Galveston Bay. The topography of Deer Park is extremely flat and most of our city has been developed which leaves very little natural vegetation and results in heavy urbanization.
What can I do?
Deer Park will experience another flood event in the future, be prepared by purchasing flood insurance. Read more about flood insurance and how to be prepared for a flood on this website. If you have any question please feel free to contact the Public Works Department.