You Can’t Convince Me We’re Prepared For Rain

Rain events are rare around here and we sure aren't ready for them.

I guess it was easy back in the day to skip over the idea of a proper drainage system for Lubbock. Back then, everyone was a farmer and all the rain was considered good. Then came concrete and asphalt and now we have a problem.

Lubbock's "plan" for rain is the rain to run down the city streets and into the playa lakes. That hardly sounds like a "plan" to me, but you get charged stormwater fees for it. Anyways, I'm not going to get into the politics of the situation, only the reality of it.

After less than an hour of rain Saturday night, the water was OVER most of the curbs on 50th street. Those of us brave or stupid enough to be out in it couldn't even see where to turn in. It just seems like it's only a matter of time before Lubbock businesses and houses start suffering catastrophic damage from flash flooding.

Of course, no one will take it seriously because it only happens a few times a year, but it's crazy that we don't have a better solution for drainage.