moving to Tulsa, Flooding?

[graceinwa]

Hi,

We are planning on moving to the Tulsa area,  I have noticed that there are a lot of flooding going on over there!!  Is that normal?  Or unusual.  I also wanted to get some info from locals on which towns would be a good choice to settle into.  We want something no too big or too small, but something that has a lot of growth potential.

Thanks,
Grace

[TURobY]

There hasn't been much flooding in Tulsa, but some of our suburbs are having issues with it.

This is an abnormally rainy season for us, and not something I am too worried about.

[Conan71]

Hi graceinwa.

Tulsa instituted a stormwater management plan after flooding in 1984 and we have what I would say is a model program.  You might get localized street flooding during very heavy rains, but it's rare to have a flood in the city limits anymore.

Do you already have jobs lined up in Tulsa?  That might determine where you want to live and how far you want to commute.

All the suburban towns in the Tulsa area are growing.  Other towns to look into are Jenks, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Glenpool, and Owasso.

Have you visited the area yet?

[cannon_fodder]

I have only in Tulsa for 4 years, for full disclosure...

But in my experience this much water is very unusual.  In fact, looking at the national weather service it is very unusual.  We are getting more rain this year than we have at any time in the last 20.

and the good news, is that there is no flooding in the Tulsa metro area.  The areas that are really getting hurt by the flooding are rural areas that can not afford the flood control protections that Tulsa has put in place.  The only 'flooding' that you are likely to see in Tulsa is some swamped streets and a soggy yard for an hour after a down poor a few times a month in the spring (my backyard is a bowl, so I wish it was soggy for only an hour... but in general).

So no.  Flooding is not a great concern in Tulsa.  Even in this unusual year the flooding in the NE Oklahoma has had to real effect on my life (other than fewer boat ramps at the lakes).

[dsjeffries]

In my opinion, "We want something no too big or too small, but something that has a lot of growth potential" rules out Owasso and Broken Arrow.  Sure, they could still grow a ton, but what I'm getting is that you want a small town feel without being stuck in a dead-end small town??

Skiatook is a good choice.  It's only ~15 minutes from downtown Tulsa, has good schools, steady growth and tons of growth potential, the small-town atmosphere, complete with a historic downtown main street.  Another bonus is Skiatook Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in Oklahoma, and the site of the new CrossTimbers Resort (yet-to-be-completed).  Land values are pretty low for the area, which is good if you plan on building.

[abryant]

Glad to have you coming into the area Grace and company.  Like stated above, there really hasn't been any threat of flooding in the Tulsa Metro.  I live very close to the river and we've not had any issues in our neighborhood or in the surrounding downtown/midtown area.  
Both downtown/midtown would be my suggestion to move into as there is a lot of beauty of the non-anthill type homes with big older trees, riverpark trails, lots of green space, eclectic businesses and such.  I'm sure you'll love our city once you get here and explore.  Best wishes on your move!

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

...I would say is a model program...

You are correct in saying so, Conan.  Tulsa's stormwater management program leads the nation and Tulsa has the lowest flood insurance rates in the country.

[AngieB]

quote:Originally posted by graceinwa

.....something no too big or too small, but something that has a lot of growth potential.

Check out west and southwest Tulsa. You can find some real gems west of the river -- more for your money and it's an area, I believe, that is on its way up! Also, the flood control in the area is great. I haven't even seen any street flooding in the area during this heavy rain.

Good luck!

[Johnboy976]

If you are thinking of a place right next door to Tulsa, I would stick with Jenks. Bixby might be TOO small, but in the last couple of years it has stepped in its growth.

Skiatook is a good suggestion, if you don't mind a little bit of a drive (really, it wouldn't be any worse than living in any other suburb of Tulsa).

[waterboy]

I love the midtown/oldtown area but you may not find your most rapid value growth there. But we never concern ourselves with flooding as it is gently rolling hills.

I spend most of my working day in the far southeast area, 91st-111th from sheridan to Mingo. Most Tulsan's love the area but it is flat and the streets and yards tend to hold water. Its like the developers have no idea how to direct the water to existing creeks.

Even so its just temporary and seasonal.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by TulsaMINI

quote:Originally posted by graceinwa

.....something no too big or too small, but something that has a lot of growth potential.

Check out west and southwest Tulsa. You can find some real gems west of the river -- more for your money and it's an area, I believe, that is on its way up! Also, the flood control in the area is great. I haven't even seen any street flooding in the area during this heavy rain.

Good luck!

I'm with you I like west Tulsa too. Old time charm- old time flavor. Also SandSprings is nice and they have a jogging trail there. Sapulpa is nice too. A city I like alot is Omaha, Nebraska they have a strong economy, great stores and no sales tax on food items, and Omaha has a great system of jogging/bike trails. Omaha has cold winters though.[B)]

[graceinwa]

Thank you so much you have all been so helpful.  We are planning a trip out there in late September I will take all your advice and check it out.  We don't have jobs lined up we would like to to start a contracting business and possibly other businesses that's why we want growth potential.

Grace

[shadows]

CL quoted:

Originally posted by Conan71

...I would say is a model program...

You are correct in saying so, Conan. Tulsa's stormwater management program leads the nation and Tulsa has the lowest flood insurance rates in the country.
_______________________________________
Being curious as our SWM program leads the nation and quoted as #1 in runoff control.   I understand Denver tried but gave it up.  Is there someone that has knowledge of some other city that is trying it.  

The city has not received the rain fall in short periods as in the '60's, '74, '76, '84, '86 or 89.  Most of the suburbs cited flood quite often.  Flood insurance cost is about one third of the cost paid for homeowners insurance.

I have in hand a book published April 30, 1984 authorized by US public works which shows the recommended flood controls.   Thirty days later 14 deaths occurred in flooding in Tulsa.  The city did not follow the recommendations outlined in the book.  Somewhere I have seen a chart citing the city as the most flooded in the nation.

It is a beautiful city and if one comes to make a home be sure  it is on high grounds not like the FEMA official said "Not even a farmer builds in the creek bed".

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

CL quoted:

Originally posted by Conan71

...I would say is a model program...

You are correct in saying so, Conan. Tulsa's stormwater management program leads the nation and Tulsa has the lowest flood insurance rates in the country.
_______________________________________
Being curious as our SWM program leads the nation and quoted as #1 in runoff control.   I understand Denver tried but gave it up.  Is there someone that has knowledge of some other city that is trying it.  

The city has not received the rain fall in short periods as in the '60's, '74, '76, '84, '86 or 89.  Most of the suburbs cited flood quite often.  Flood insurance cost is about one third of the cost paid for homeowners insurance.

I have in hand a book published April 30, 1984 authorized by US public works which shows the recommended flood controls.   Thirty days later 14 deaths occurred in flooding in Tulsa.  The city did not follow the recommendations outlined in the book.  Somewhere I have seen a chart citing the city as the most flooded in the nation.

It is a beautiful city and if one comes to make a home be sure  it is on high grounds not like the FEMA official said "Not even a farmer builds in the creek bed".

So are you suggesting, that when they published that book of recommended flood controls in 1984, they had enough time to implement those flood controls in the 30 days before the flood happened?

As for that "Most flooded in the nation" chart. Just how old is it?

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by graceinwa

Thank you so much you have all been so helpful.  We are planning a trip out there in late September I will take all your advice and check it out.  We don't have jobs lined up we would like to to start a contracting business and possibly other businesses that's why we want growth potential.

Grace

No fear about not finding a job, The Tulsa Sunday paper is full of job ads. (The news  paper can read on-line) The local temp services are begging for workers. The housing market is affordable too. prop. taxes are lower than in Omaha. Arriving in late Sept. it can get a bit nippy though. Falls can be nice in Tulsa, but it does get darn cold at night. That reminds me of an old 1971 song called "Maggie Mae" The lyrics are something like  "It's late Sept. and I really should be back in school..."