After enduring the impact of Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, and other intense storms, Harris County faced more than 800 damaged sites across its drainage infrastructure. In response, the Harris County Flood Control District, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), launched a large-scale Disaster Recovery Program to restore and protect the region’s flood control channels.The goal is twofold: repair storm damage and make channels stronger and more resilient against future extreme weather events.

To date, the NRCS has contributed over $70 million to support these vital repair and improvement efforts throughout Harris County. The funding helps restore drainage systems that are essential to protecting homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.

What the NRCS Program Does

The NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program provides technical and financial support to help local entities recover after natural disasters. The assistance focuses on:

• Removing debris and sediment
• Repairing storm-damaged slopes and structures
• Preventing future flooding or erosion
• Purchasing floodplain easements when necessary

The program is designed to relieve immediate hazards to life and property, while also reducing long-term vulnerability in flood-prone areas.

These improvements are a key part of ensuring the county’s infrastructure is ready for the next storm. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, recovery efforts like this help protect communities and keep vital flood control systems functioning.

Learn more about the program and view project photos on the HCFCD website.