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Hurricane surge flooding is often overlooked in Houston, particularly in the years after Hurricane Harvey, which was a rainfall flooding event. However, no issue poses a greater threat to the economic security of the area than does surge flooding, due to the high likelihood of property damage and a potentially massive loss of life. Surge flooding would also affect the Houston Ship Channel, the Texas City refining complex, and the Bayport Industrial District, all of which represent key suppliers of refined oil products and plastics. The loss of production in the Galveston Bay shoreline area would profoundly affect U.S. national security, regional and local economies in Texas, and people’s lives and well-being.
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