Texas lawmakers are considering allocating a billion dollars to prevent floods in Galveston.

According to The Texas Tribune, "Texas House and Senate members negotiating the state’s massive two-year budget included $550 million for proposed coastal barrier projects, including the Ike Dike - a huge gate system proposed for the mouth of Galveston Bay." It's also worth noting another $500 million might be allocated for flood-control projects.

"Storm surge barriers or tide gates can effectively protect harbors and minimize flooding, property damage and loss of life during large storms," per NOAA. "These barriers typically span the opening to a harbor or river mouth and include gates that are only closed when storm surges are expected."

Climate Change Will Worsen The Impact Of Hurricanes In Galveston

Climate change is causing more intense rainfall and has also raised the risk of coastal flooding due to higher storm surge caused by rising seas. Quoting an article published by Forbes:

"A warmer Earth means warmer oceans, which means greater regions of our planet with ocean temperatures at or above the 80 °F/27 °C threshold, including at higher latitudes. Warmer water takes up more volume, so sea levels are higher and coastal flooding is more common and intense."

Texas is sadly the second-most hurricane prone state in the country. And unfortunately, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, climate change could impact your wallet. "The rising sea is likely to increase flood insurance rates, while more frequent storms could increase the deductible for wind damage in homeowner insurance policies. Many cities, roads, railways, ports, airports, and oil and gas facilities along the Gulf Coast are vulnerable to the combined impacts of storms and sea level rise."

Galveston Desperately Needs A Coastal Storm Barrier

The Galveston hurricane of 1900 was one of the nations's deadliest natural disasters. Making landfall as a category four hurricane, it claimed 8,000 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings.

"We knew there was a storm coming, but we had no idea that it was as bad as it was," said William Mason Bristol in NPR. "You see, we didn't have a weather bureau that give us the dope that they got now...They had no airplanes to go up there and see how bad it was."

"It was an awful thing," recalled Annie McCullough. "The water was comin' so fast. The wagon gettin' so it was floating. The poor mules swimming that was pulling. And the men laid flat on their stomach, holdin' the little children."

Many Galveston residents will be hoping for the coastal storm barrier to be installed as soon as possible. Because it's an undeniable fact of life that hurricane season is just around the corner. And, with climate change strengthening the intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes, it's only a matter of time before Galveston experiences another "big one" at some point in the future.

What do you think about Galveston possibly receiving a billion dollars for coastal flooding protection? Leave a comment with your thoughts. And if you think more people should read this article, share it on social media.