Houston Submerged 2X In 2 Years: "Impossible" For Greg Abbott To Endorse Validity Of Climate Science

[hatrack]

EDIT

A massive Houston furniture store became a shelter for evacuees. Live television footage showed firefighters rescuing stranded truckers on major highways. On social media, people posted that water was quickly seeping into their home and asked for help. In Winnie, a town of about 3,200 people 60 miles (95 kilometers) east of Houston, a hospital was evacuated.

Even as the intensity of the storm weakened, Harris County officials warned that some of their 4.7 million residents might not see high waters recede in their neighborhoods until the weekend.

Following Harvey, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a report warning that punishing storms would become more frequent because of a changing climate. Scientists say climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme weather such as storms, droughts, floods and fires, but without extensive study they cannot directly link a single weather event to the changing climate.

Climate change skepticism runs deep among Republican leaders in Texas, and Abbott has said it’s “impossible” for him to say whether he believes manmade global warming is causing the kind of disasters the state is telling residents to get used to. Earlier this year, Abbott approved billions of new dollars to fortify the Texas coast and reduce catastrophic flooding.

EDIT

https://www.rep-am.com/news/national/2019/09/20/imelda-leaves-2-dead-in-texas-others-stranded-and-trapped/

[dawg day]

1. "If I close my eyes real tight, I won't see it."

"And then I won't be afraid."

It's impossible for him to say? Good grief. He means of course he recognizes reality but can't say that because his rightwing nutso voters might get mad.

[Mike 03]

2. Is this the 4th or 5th "500-Year Flood" in five years?

This article is from 2017:

Houston is experiencing its third ‘500-year’ flood in 3 years. How is that possible?

Hurricane Harvey has brought “500-year” rainfall and flood conditions to the Houston area, according to officials at the Harris County Flood Control District.

As of August 31, widespread areas around Houston have experienced flooding reaching 1,000-year thresholds or more.

Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/08/29/houston-is-experiencing-its-third-500-year-flood-in-3-years-how-is-that-possible/

Or maybe it's the second 1,000 year flood... Anyways

[underpants]

3. A City Without Limits. No zoning laws and other bad planning

They pride themselves on not having any zoning laws. They also rely on city streets to do the draining. No drainage system requirements on new construction either. They built themselves a big old paved bathtub or swimming pool without a drain.

[OnlinePoker]

4. It's not like flooding in Houston is unknown.

Here is a list of major flooding events going back to 1837.

http://www.wxresearch.com/almanac/houflood.html

[NickB79]

5. I see a lot of 6"-20" rainfall totals listed

Not so much 40"-60" like we've now seen two years in a row.

[Canoe52]

6. "Biblical flooding" and they still don't believe?

What do they need a sign from heaven?