SPRING BRANCH — Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi confirmed that a drainage complaint filed by homeowner Paul Braddock had been overlooked and ordered staff to expedite the improvement project. The directive followed an inquiry into the Spring Branch resident’s reports of flooding that damaged his property during Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Braddock resides in the 2200 block of Bauer Drive in the Spring Branch area of Houston. He states that water collects in a drainage ditch near his property during heavy rain instead of draining away. The rising water from the ditch spills across the street and onto his property, according to Braddock.

Floodwaters entered his home during Hurricane Beryl in 2024. "A couple of inches of water, a half-foot of water crashed down my driveway and then flooded my entire home," Braddock recalled of the 2024 storm.

Braddock has contacted the City of Houston regarding the flooding through emails, phone calls, and 311 service requests. He has also documented flooding events with photos and videos to support his complaints. "I’ve got around 80 emails to and from the city where I have submitted pictures, videos and have just every event I have been documenting since then," Braddock said. To mitigate the damage, Braddock constructed a retaining wall, installed protective berms on his property, and added multiple sump pumps.

Mario Díaz, an investigative reporter, contacted Macchi regarding Braddock’s concerns. "I have no idea off the top of my head, but I’m going to find out," Macchi said on the call. Following the inquiry, Macchi confirmed that Braddock’s case had been overlooked.

Macchi stated that the matter would be expedited and directed staff to move the project forward. The confirmation marked a shift in the city’s response to the homeowner’s documentation and requests for assistance.