Engineering Developments in Texas: Preparing for Natural Disasters

Engineering for Resilient Development in Texas: Preparing for Natural Disasters

As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in North Carolina and Texas, JRH Engineering and Environmental Services is at the forefront of designing disaster-resilient infrastructure.

With Texas experiencing 26 federally declared disasters since 1980 and over 322,000 properties currently in floodplains3, proactive engineering solutions are critical to safeguarding communities.

Texas’s Natural Disaster Landscape: A Growing Challenge

Flooding: The Persistent Threat

Texas leads the U.S. in flood-related disasters, with Houston alone projected to have 350,000+ properties at substantial flood risk by 20503. 

Recent March 2025 storms in South Texas caused 3 fatalities, 200+ rescues, and catastrophic infrastructure damage, highlighting the urgency for resilient design78.

Tornadoes and High Winds

As part of "Tornado Alley," Texas sees frequent twisters capable of generating 200+ mph winds.

The 2025 Bolivar Peninsula hurricane aftermath demonstrated how fortified engineering can prevent total structural collapse4.

Secondary Risks: Subsidence and Infrastructure Strain

Oil/gas extraction and groundwater pumping have increased subsidence and earthquake risks, while aging levees and stormwater systems struggle under urban growth15.

Structural Engineering Solutions for Disaster Resilience

Flood-Resistant Foundations

JRH implements elevated foundation systems that raise structures above base flood elevations, critical in coastal zones like Galveston Bay.

For example, our designs for the Sabine Pass project included levees raised by 4–6 feet to combat storm surges4.

Key features:

• Pier-and-beam systems with flood vents

• Waterproof concrete mixes

• Reinforced shear walls to resist hydrostatic pressure

Tornado and Wind Mitigation

Drawing from the "Last House Standing" model in Bolivar, we integrate:

• Continuous load paths from roof to foundation

• Impact-resistant windows (tested to withstand 150 mph debris)

• Steel-reinforced safe rooms meeting FEMA P-320 standards46

  
  

Civil Engineering Strategies for Community Resilience

Advanced Stormwater Management

With Houston’s flood models underestimating risk by 30%3, JRH prioritizes:

• Detention basins sized for 500-year storms (per Atlas 14 updates)

• Permeable pavements reducing runoff by 40–60%

• Green infrastructure (bioswales, rain gardens) to slow water flow5

  
  

Critical Infrastructure Hardening

• Levee upgrades: 5.5 miles of earthen levees raised in Port Neches4

• Buried power lines to prevent storm outages6

• Modular drainage systems for rapid post-disaster recovery

The Essential Role of Licensed Engineers

Regulatory Navigation

Projects outfalling to named channels require:

1. HCFCD permits

2. Army Corps of Engineers approval

3. Wetland delineations15Licensed engineers ensure compliance while avoiding costly delays.

   
   

Cost-Benefit Optimization

JRH’s energy-efficient designs reduce long-term ownership costs by 15–20%, offsetting higher upfront resilience investments. For example, stormwater-ready sites see 30% lower insurance premiums2.

Final Thought

With Texas facing $15B+ in annual disaster costs1, JRH Engineering and Environmental Services combines cross-state expertise from North Carolina hurricane projects with cutting-edge Texas solutions.

From elevated communities in floodplains to tornado-resistant schools, our designs transform vulnerability into resilience.

References:

1 NISAR Natural Hazards Report

3 Understanding Houston Flood Data

5 Stormwater Mitigation Strategies

6 KERA Resilient Infrastructure Panel |

7 South Texas Flood Reports

Citations:

1. https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/documents/7/NISAR_Applications_Hazards_Texas.pdf

2. https://hometaxshield.com/posts/the-impact-of-natural-disasters-on-property-taxes-in-texas/

3. https://www.understandinghouston.org/topic/disasters/disaster-risks

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51. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4781

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59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ehl_-tSCM