Flooding is becoming a regular and serious problem in Texas, with some communities facing the risk of repeated damage. Experts on housing and urban planning are now urging the state to start a voluntary buyout program. This would give residents living in high-risk flood areas a chance to move out safely.
About 5 million people in Texas live or work on floodplains, one of the largest numbers in the U.S. Climate change has made heavy rainfalls more common, causing places like Galveston to flood nearly 14 times a year — a big jump from almost no floods in the 1950s. This growing flood threat has pushed experts to recommend moving people away from those danger zones through buyouts.
A buyout is when the government pays homeowners the market price to leave properties that flood often. This not only protects people but also lowers future costs and helps restore the land to better handle floods. Right now, Texas relies heavily on federal help, especially from FEMA. But in recent years, federal funding for buyouts has been uncertain and slow. Some communities have ended up stuck waiting for aid, which delays progress and leaves homes at risk.
Other states like New Jersey, New York, and Washington have already set up permanent buyout programs funded without relying on the federal government. Some cities including Tulsa, Austin, and Nashville are also running their own programs, often paying for buyouts themselves until federal support returns.
Texas is in a good spot to start its own program thanks to a large state savings fund, called the “rainy day fund,” which had nearly $24 billion available earlier this year. Experts say this fund could cover emergencies and help get a buyout program running faster and with fewer hurdles than federal grants, which often come with strict rules and slow paperwork.
Jeff Branick, who manages buyouts in Jefferson County, Texas, shared his experience from Hurricane Harvey. His county got federal money to buy out 100 homes, but the process dragged on for years. Many homeowners dropped out while waiting, so some damaged homes remain occupied and costly for the county to maintain.
Aside from funding, experts warn that buyouts can be emotionally hard for people tied to their homes. To succeed, communities need to be involved from the start. Programs that explain why buyouts are needed and even help residents contribute through small fees have seen better results.
Texas researchers suggest using a stormwater fee to fund buyouts, similar to those in Nashville and Tulsa. Other funding ideas include bonds or taxes like those in neighboring states.
Last month’s devastating floods in Texas caused over 130 deaths and billions in damage, making the need for long-term solutions clear. While floods may be unavoidable, experts say that disasters don’t have to be. Moving people out of harm’s way could save lives and money in the future.
With a strong financial base and the urgency of ongoing floods, Texas might soon take a big step toward safer communities by creating its own flood buyout program.