Hurricane season officially runs through November 30, with the most active months, August, September, and October. Heavy rains during this time can cause water to pool around your house or flood your yard if it doesn’t drain properly.
Here are some simple steps you as a homeowner should take now to help keep water flowing away from your home and protect your property:
- Make sure your yard slopes away from your house and other landscape areas around are graded. This helps rainwater naturally move away from your foundation instead of pooling near your walls, which can cause damage over time.
- Keep drainage swales clean. These shallow, grassy ditches between properties guide rainwater safely away. Blocked swales can lead to flooding.
- Keep storm drain inlets clear. These grates along streets let water enter the city’s drainage system. Cars parked over them or debris blocking them can cause street flooding.
- Don’t blow leaves or grass clippings into the street or storm drains. That’s prohibited because it clogs the drains and causes backups.
- Your property also means your valuables and important documents. Keep them safe by storing them in a waterproof container. Place the container in an elevated area, such as an upper floor, high closet shelf, or accessible part of your attic.
Know your flood risk. Even if you’re not in a designated flood zone, your property could still be vulnerable during major storms. Sugar Land’s Integrated Stormwater Management Model (ISWMM) is a user-friendly online map that tracks rainfall and ponding through 28 connected rain and stream gauges across the city.
Residents can use ISWMM to:
- Monitor real-time rainfall and water levels in their own neighborhoods
- Receive alerts about ponding, street flooding, and potential road closures
- Better plan evacuation routes and assess local drainage infrastructure
To check conditions near you, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/ISWMM.
Taking these precautions now helps protect your home and neighborhood from flooding risks. Stay prepared, and let’s work together to keep Sugar Land safe and dry!