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Local residents know that navigating Houston streets can sometimes be challenging: If you’ve ever swerved around a pothole while driving up and down Kirby Drive, you get it. However, residents can do their part by reporting obstacles like potholes and flooding, or broken streetlights, that they encounter on their daily routes.
Filling in the holes
When it comes to potholes on major roads, many Houstonians have reported long waits when it comes to repairs, injuries to their cars or persons, and difficulty reporting damages they encounter.
According to Billy Rudolph, Chief of Staff/Public Information Officer for Administration & Regulatory Affairs, the easiest way for people to report flooding, potholes, and broken streetlights is to call 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 for 24-hour service and citywide information. The 3-1-1 hotline was created to connect Houstonians to a user-friendly and responsive call center that is staffed 24/7 with trained agents.
Per the 3-1-1 website, to file an Online Service Request, residents must provide the address of the corresponding location of which the service need or problem is being reported. In most cases, a valid email address is needed for follow up purposes.
Houston 311 services are also available through the online portal at https://www.houstontx.gov/311/ or by using the Houston 311 mobile app. Residents can also report street light outages through CenterPoint Energy by calling 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143. For emergency service, residents should call 9-1-1.
In terms of long wait times or difficulty reporting, a majority of these issues stem from Houston having such a large population and the city being so vast geographically.
“Wait times can vary when calling 3-1-1 depending on the time of day or other factors contributing to a high call volume,” Rudolph said via email. “Submitting a service request on the mobile app or online portal can sometimes save time during an uptick in calls. All service requests reported to 3-1-1, including those requiring repairs, are fulfilled by the City department affiliated with the issue and can vary in length of time for a resolution.”
You can also call 3-1-1 to report flooded streets—that’s especially important right now, with hurricane season now in full effect until Nov. 30.
As seen in the past with storms like Hurricane Harvey and Beryl, Houston roads can quickly become dangerous when major storms come to the region, and letting the city know about potentially unpassable roads could help save someone from an accident or worse. (Under no circumstances should a resident attempt to drive through a flooded street.)
Once notified through 3-1-1, local police will work with the fire department to block off the flooded street, if due to weather, until it’s driveable again. If the flooding is the result of a burst pipe or similar, public works will be responsible for starting the repair, which would include blocking the street and rerouting traffic.
Here are some other ways residents can prepare for hurricane season and potential flooding:
- Registering for AlertHouston to stay informed by texting “AlertHouston” to 888777 or by registering here
- Checking the Houston TranStar Roadway Flood Warning System for flooded roadways
- Learning and practicing evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response
- Keeping their gas tank at least half full throughout all of hurricane season
- Establishing a primary and secondary meeting point in case of evacuation
- Protecting your property by moving valuables to higher levels and decluttering drains and gutters
- Installing check valves
- Having a flood insurance policy
“The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management urges residents to prepare for hurricane season, especially flooding, as Houston streets can flood easily during intense short-duration rainfall,” said Ruth Tovar, Public Information Officer for City of Houston Office of Emergency Management.
