During a recent interview, Emily Woodell, Chief External Affairs Officer at the Harris County Flood Control District, discussed how federally funded flood mitigation projects across Harris County are beginning to move into construction.

“One of the big programs that we have going on right now is the CDBG program,” Woodell said. “That’s Community Development Block Grant funding, and that’s federal funding.”

According to Woodell, approximately $860 million in federal funding is helping move flood mitigation projects forward across Harris County.

“We are really excited that all of those projects are about to be in construction,” Woodell said. “That’s real benefits on the ground.”

The Flood Control District works with local, state, and federal partners to reduce flood risk through projects like channel conveyance improvements, stormwater detention basins, and drainage upgrades.

“At the Flood Control District, our job is to build and maintain projects to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County,” Woodell said.

Woodell also explained how Harris County’s 2018 flood bond helped bring additional outside funding into the county after Hurricane Harvey.

“Our plan was always to take that local investment as a down payment and bring in a bunch of partners,” Woodell said. “I’m proud to say we did that. We secured $2.7 billion in funding.”

Why This Matters

Woodell emphasized that many flood mitigation projects take years of engineering, permitting, environmental review, and coordination before construction can begin.

“We have hundreds of projects that are moving forward that are fully funded through construction,” Woodell said. “Now our job is just getting them out the door.”

She also noted that flood mitigation projects work together regionally across Harris County.

“One thing people really don’t understand about the flood infrastructure in Harris County is that it all works together,” Woodell said.

“Just because something isn’t happening in your backyard does not mean that you are not benefiting from a project upstream or downstream of you,” she added.

The interview also highlighted how completed projects are already helping reduce flood risk in some communities.

“We have seen these projects working,” Woodell said. “Structures that would have flooded did not because these projects are in the ground and really providing benefits.”

Stay Informed

Residents can stay informed by reviewing project dashboards, flood maps, and construction updates on the Flood Control District website.

“We have an entire dashboard with a map on our website where you can type in your address,” Woodell said. “You can really get information about what’s in your backyard.”

As more federally funded projects move into construction, residents across Harris County may begin seeing increased construction activity in communities throughout the county.

“We’re excited for folks to see trucks out there moving dirt,” Woodell said. “It’s the part that provides benefits and that’s what really matters about this work.”