DIY- HOME DAM - Some homeowners have used unique tactics to beat Harvey’s floodwaters. Texas Public Media in Houston's Allison Lee caught up with one man, to see how his property fared- after spending $13,000 to have a tube barrier around the house. Before Harvey hit, Sam Craven used what’s called an AquaDam— 400 feet of re-fillable tubing, to protect his Meyerland property from repeat flooding. " In previous floods, most we got was 12 to 14 inches or so. And the aqua dam is good for 30 inches , we thought we were pretty well covered." Craven explained. But did it work? "The AquaDam worked really good for the first 30 inches, but we ended up having 5 feet in the house. " Craven’s company buys and sells house and this Meyerland home "was" under contract to be sold, 2 weeks after Harvey hit. But the house is now in the process of being completely gutted. Craven says he’ll probably end up selling at lot value. For the neighborhood to turn around and have legs, build new, FEMA grants, or pay to raise their house. He says he's applied for a FEMA grant to elevate the home- but it was denied last year, and he suspects it will be denied again this year.
