From what I remember, houston was surrouded by unincorporated areas that it would eventually assimilate. I believe the unincorporated areas would not have the building requirements of houston and the houses there would be grandfathered in.
It turns into a concrete boat and pops out of the ground. Happens everywhere with high water table. Can even happen randomly in other areas because most people don’t really know how much water is in the earth before they drain the pool. Maybe it rained a week ago and you thought things were dried out, stuff like that.
Also, speaking of groundwater.
never drain your pool in houston.
bad things will happen.