Plain Truths About Building in Floodplains

You will find yourself looking up when seeing a Trinity Estate Home for the first time. These home’s commanding presence are not purely for aesthetic appreciation alone, they are also more practical and purposefully designed for the unfortunate realities of Houston’s flooding problems.

Notice how this home sits subtly raised on the lot, aesthetics need not be compromised to withstand possible flooding issues.

The 2015 flood on Memorial Day, the 2016 Tax Day flood, and granddaddy of all floods- Hurricane Harvey, showed unequivocally Houston has a problem. Each of those floods, according to experts, should be once in 500 year flooding events. So we should be good for another 1500 years right? Nope! Floodplain maps have been updated, new solutions pertaining to development, restrictions, and regulations have been hotly debated. Some have even proposed abandoning whole swaths of land and neighborhoods altogether.

We are staying put

For us however, there is no debate! We love our city and frankly, the neighborhoods in the Memorial/Energy Corridor region will continue to be the most prestigious and sought after homesites for generations to come. In an October 5, 2018 Houston Chronicle article Mayor Turner stated, “Houston cannot and should not abandon a third of the city to avoid flooding any more than San Francisco should abandon numerous established neighborhoods that could be affected by earthquakes.” The Chronicle further quoted Turner saying, “Houston was founded on a system of bayous and the huge majority of existing development took place before flood plain maps existed. Now the maps are being redone, for good reason, meaning the lines will move — while residences will not.”

The Solution is Building Right

We are probably all guilty of watching the news, and after seeing devastating natural disasters questioning the sanity and seeming stupidity of those choosing to remain and rebuild. Especially if the area is likely to be hit again. What individuals and communities do next is what counts. Let’s visit “The Last House Standing” on the Bolivar peninsula. Hurricane Rita destroyed Pam and Warren Adams’ beach house in 2005; when they rebuilt they cut no corners aesthetically. The Adams chose to recreate their beachfront style home on the same lot, determined to remain in their beloved community. More importantly, is what they did next! The Adams’ new build incorporated engineering and design innovations rated to withstand future storms.

Three years later Hurricane Ike absolutely obliterated the entire beachfront; the footprints of neighboring homes scarcely rose above the devastated landscape. One small yellow house built by Mr. and Mrs. Adams stood strong. Furthermore, it was built on higher ground and above the mere regulations and recommendations for the location. Their decision to build it right emboldens us at Trinity Estate Homes- we accept the realities of mother nature's awesome power. Our solution is simple; build it right!

We Can Safely and Strategically Build and Thrive- even in a floodplain

Houstonians need not abandon their communities! At Trinity Estate Homes we rely on forward focused state of the art architecture and engineering ensuring your home will stand tall and resilient to all mother nature may throw at Houston. We build high up on our lots, we follow and exceed the most stringent building standards, codes and recommendations. Our home buyers expect and deserve the best. Buildings in any region subject to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and even floods can be built right. Trinity Estate Homes builds right and builds beautifully.