We’ve often seen cars trapped in high water along Navigation east of downtown. Now, there’s a way to keep drivers out when the water is high.
HOUSTON — Houston drivers have a bit more flood protection as new flood gates have gone up on both ends of the Navigation underpass between Canal and Franklin.
KHOU 11 has shown that problem area multiple times in recent months, as drivers stalled out in high water. Now with the potential for more heavy rain on the way, drivers hope this will be a solution to the problem.
Temporary barriers previously helped block things off, but months after KHOU 11 began asking questions about safety upgrades, a new gate was put up that can be swung and locked into place.
Our cameras have captured the high water multiple times in recent months.
“Every time it floods, every time, one or two cars get stuck under there,” said driver Victor Perdomo.
That’s because just a few inches of rainfall is enough to stall vehicles on the stretch of Navigation.
“Yes, 100%,” said driver Ryan Peters. “You have to pay attention, especially folks from out of town.”
Back in June after a recent flooding incident, we began looking for solutions. And the city of Houston Office of Emergency Management told KHOU 11’s Orko Manna this underpass was on the flooding priority list.
“I know Public Works has been evaluating, installing more of a permanent, manual gate to where it can easily be swung into place and locked,” Brian Mason with the Houston Office of Emergency Management said at the time.
That priority is now a reality. The new barriers now sit in the center median, secured in place until the next rain. And in the middle of hurricane season, it’s perfect timing because drivers say it will flood.
“It’s necessary because people don’t follow instructions if it rains people always are gonna go through there and the next thing you know we have to spend resources getting them out of trouble,” Perdomo said.
Previously, temporary barriers or first responders blocked the way, but often not soon enough. We spoke to people who say they hope these permanent barriers do what’s expected.
“I know there are signs, but we work in the area so we know when it rains,” said driver Sergio Solorzano. “Try to stay away from these areas.”
“They’re not paying attention and by the time you notice, it’s already too late,” Peters said.
The barriers appear to be manual gates, meaning emergency workers may still have to come here to physically close the road.
We’ve reached out to the city for more on what that protocol would be and are waiting to hear back.
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