Supporting Flood Risk Reduction with Native Wildflowers

You may start to notice small green patches forming along some of our channels and stormwater detention basins. While they may look like weeds at first glance, they’re actually young bluebonnets. Bluebonnets begin as low-growing clusters of leaves called rosettes. They stay close to the ground through the winter months, building strength below the surface.…

March 2, 20260Comments

Projects

Turkey Creek Maintenance Update

The Harris County Flood Control District is currently working on an erosion repair project along Turkey Creek in the Memorial area. Turkey Creek is a tributary of Buffalo Bayou. It starts in Addicks Reservoir and flows about six miles southwest, passing under Interstate 10 (U.S. 90), the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad tracks, and the…

March 2, 20260Comments

Community

Flood Control District Projects Are Reducing Flood Risk and the Data Now Shows It

Updated draft FEMA floodplain maps show that thousands of Harris County residents are now mapped out of high-risk floodplain areas because of completed flood risk reduction projects. During a recent Harris County Commissioners Court meeting, Harris County Flood Control District leadership highlighted an important milestone: Updated draft FEMA floodplain maps now reflect the real impact…

February 25, 20260Comments

Community

When the Rain Keeps Falling: What It Means for Bayous and Flood Risk

Most people enjoy the occasional slow-paced rainy day. In Harris County, we typically see about 106 days with rainfall each year. Understanding how those rainfall totals add up over time and how stormwater moves throughout Harris County is key to understanding flood risk. A few inches of rain might not seem like much at first.…

February 18, 20260Comments

Community

Draft Floodplain Maps Released: What Residents Should Know

Yesterday, the Harris County Flood Control District provided an update to the Harris County Commissioners Court on newly released Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) draft floodplain maps. This morning, the conversation continued on local television. On February 13, 2026, Emily Woodell, Chief External Affairs Officer for the Flood Control District, joined FOX 26 Houston to…

February 13, 20260Comments

Community

Flood Control District Pushes for Clear, Transparent Review of Draft FEMA Maps

Draft floodplain maps for Harris County have officially been released, marking a major milestone in the MAAPNext mapping effort. During today’s Harris County Commissioners Court meeting, Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District, emphasized that while the maps are early in the process, the community will have time, access, and…

February 12, 20260Comments

Community

An Update on FEMA Draft Flood Maps

Last week, FEMA released draft floodplain mapping information to the 34 floodplain administrators in Harris County as part of the MAAPNext effort. MAAPNext is a FEMA-led initiative, supported by the Harris County Flood Control District to provide local expertise. These maps reflect changing conditions in Harris County, including a more than 30% increase in rainfall rates, updated topography and advanced modeling. These updates are…

February 12, 20260Comments

Projects

The Greens Bayou Mid-Reach Program

The Harris County Flood Control District is working to reduce flood risks along the mid-reach stretch of Greens Bayou. The Greens Mid-Reach Program is a long-term multi-project initiative along Greens Bayou from Veterans Memorial Drive to JFK Boulevard. The program is intended to improve channel conveyance along Greens Bayou and provide stormwater storage capacity within…

February 5, 20260Comments

Projects

Reducing Flood Risk Near Little White Oak Bayou

Every day, the Harris County Flood Control District works to reduce flood risk for communities across Harris County. One important way we do that is by creating space for stormwater to go during heavy rain. That’s exactly what the Yale Stormwater Detention Basin project is designed to do. It will improve stormwater management and help…

January 9, 20260Comments

Projects

Bering Ditch Maintenance Project Completed in Precinct 3

The Harris County Flood Control District recently completed important maintenance work along Bering Ditch in west Houston, within Harris County Precinct 3. The Flood Control District is responsible for maintaining more than 2,500 miles of channels across the county and regularly inspects the channels and makes repairs when excessive wear or damage is identified. For…

December 23, 20250Comments

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