How CDBG Funding Helps Reduce Flood Risk in Harris County

Strong partnerships are essential to building long-term resilience in Harris County. Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the Flood Control District can design and build projects that meaningfully reduce flood risk. These projects improve channel conveyance, create stormwater storage, and preserve floodplains that help mitigate flooding during major rain events. Many communities with…

December 17, 20250Comments

Community

The Great Houston Flood of 1935

The Flood That Built the Flood Control District The Great Houston Flood of 1935 was the worst flood event in Houston’s history up to that time. An intense 42-hour period of rainfall occurred from December 6 through December 8. While the City of Houston received 5.5 inches of rain, areas to the northwest saw far…

December 5, 20250Comments

Community

Shaping Harris County’s SAFER Future

The Harris County Flood Control District recently wrapped up the first round of listening meetings for the Solutions for Advancing Floodplain Evaluation and Resilience Study (SAFER) Study. These meetings gave residents a chance to share experiences, ask questions, and talk about ideas for reducing the impacts of flooding. The SAFER Study is a major effort…

October 31, 20250Comments

Community

When October Brought a Hurricane: Remembering Hurricane Jerry

On October 15, 1989, as most of the Gulf Coast was easing into fall, Hurricane Jerry made a surprise landfall near Jamaica Beach on Galveston Island. With sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, Jerry wasn’t the strongest storm to hit Texas, but it was one of the latest. In fact, Jerry was the latest…

October 16, 20250Comments

Community

Remembering the Floods of October 1994: A Turning Point for Harris County

Thirty-one years ago this week, relentless rain fell over southeast Texas and changed lives forever. Between October 15 and October 18, 1994, a slow-moving weather system combined with tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and remnants of Hurricane Rosa in the eastern Pacific to unleash catastrophic flooding across southeast Texas, including portions of…

October 15, 20250Comments

Community

Be Part of the Force Bringing Flood Reduction to Harris County

The Harris County Flood Control District is growing. Over the past several weeks, the Flood Control District has been hosting job fairs to connect with talented individuals ready to make a difference. These events are part of ongoing hiring outreach efforts to fill open positions across the Flood Control District. Why is this important? Every…

September 26, 20250Comments

Community

Making Flood Resilience Planning Accessible to All

Flooding affects every community in Harris County, and preparing for the future requires input from residents across many different backgrounds. The Harris County Flood Control District has continued to take steps to make its public meetings open and accessible to everyone. The Flood Control District is leading countywide planning efforts such as the Harris County…

September 19, 20250Comments

Community

Harris County Wants Your Voice on Flood Solutions—Here’s How to Get Involved

Flooding is a constant threat in Harris County, and the SAFER Study, a joint initiative by the Harris County Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aims to develop long-term, large-scale flood risk reduction strategies. This multi-year study will assess 12 major watersheds, including Brays Bayou, Buffalo Bayou, and Cypress Creek, to…

July 16, 20250Comments

Community

Big Plans for Cypress Creek: Harris County Shares Updates on Major Flood Mitigation Project

Residents tuning in to the Harris County Flood Control District’s recent virtual meeting got an inside look at one of the county’s most significant flood mitigation projects currently in design: the Cypress Creek Channel Rehabilitation and Stormwater Detention Basin, Main Stem, Batch 5. It’s a long name, but the goals are simple: stabilize the channel,…

July 14, 20250Comments

Community

Harris County Flood Control District: Structure, Funding, and Public Resources

The Harris County Flood Control District is a special purpose district established by the Texas Legislature in 1937, following major floods in 1929 and 1935. It operates under the governance of the Harris County Commissioners Court and serves the entirety of Harris County, including the City of Houston, home to over 4.7 million residents according…

July 14, 20250Comments