As hurricane season approaches, the Harris County Flood Control District is continuing work on major flood risk reduction projects across the region. During an interview this morning with FOX 26, Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of the Flood Control District, discussed the progress being made on federally funded flood mitigation projects, the challenges involved in delivering large infrastructure projects, and the importance of helping residents prepare for severe weather.

“At the Flood Control District, we really focus on providing information through our flood warning system to help folks prepare for hurricane season,” Dr. Petersen said. 

“But we also focus on building projects.”

Dr. Petersen noted that the Flood Control District currently has hundreds of projects completed, underway, or moving into construction across Harris County.

The Challenge of Delivering Major Infrastructure Projects

The interview focused on the complexity of delivering flood mitigation projects in one of the nation’s largest counties.

“It is very challenging, but we are committed to getting this work done and we are fully focused on delivering,” Dr. Petersen said.

She explained that one of the biggest challenges often happens before construction even begins.

“The challenges that we face are really related oftentimes to just the process to get a project to construction,” she said. “Once we get it to construction, that is when we can hand it over to a contractor who does the hard work of building the project.”

According to Dr. Petersen, major public infrastructure projects require years of engineering, environmental review, utility coordination, right of way acquisition, permitting, and oversight before construction can begin.

“All the red tape, all the issues that we’ve had to sort through to that point are done,” Dr. Petersen said.

She also highlighted the partnership between the Flood Control District and the Texas General Land Office in helping projects move forward more efficiently.

“We have been working together over the last several years to find ways to cut red tape and expedite projects at every level of government,” Dr. Petersen said.

Despite the challenges, the Flood Control District emphasized that projects funded through federal mitigation programs are now actively moving into construction.

“We have more than $400 million of projects going into construction through the end of this year,” Dr. Petersen said. “We’ve got 11 projects right now that are moving into construction funded by those federal dollars.”

She added, “Despite the challenges, we are at the point where we are seeing real progress.”

She explained that many residents already see flood mitigation infrastructure throughout Harris County, even if they may not realize its purpose.

“When you’re driving around town after a rain, you see those big basins full of water,” Dr. Petersen said. “That water is the stormwater that we are holding back so that our channels can convey more water.”

These stormwater detention basins are designed to temporarily store excess rainfall and slowly release it over time, helping reduce pressure on bayous and drainage channels during major rain events.

Infrastructure and Information Both Matter 

The interview served as a reminder that flood mitigation projects are long term investments, and without these projects, neighborhoods could face greater flooding impacts, roadway closures, erosion, and strain on aging drainage systems. While construction activity is becoming more visible across Harris County, many projects required years of coordination and planning before reaching this stage.

While Dr. Petersen is focused on making sure the Flood Control District does its part to reduce flood risk across Harris County, she also urged residents to do their part by preparing ahead of hurricane season and using the Flood Control District’s flood warning tools. 

“I would encourage everyone to make sure that you have the Harris County Flood Warning System bookmarked,” Dr. Petersen said. “Sign up for those alerts because we have rainfall data as well as channel information so that you can be prepared when you need that information.”

Watch Dr. Petersen below discuss the challenges and progress of moving major flood mitigation projects into construction.