Emmett, Culberson announce $5 billion more for flood work

Congressman John Culberson, Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Russell Poppe,and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (photo courtesy HPM)
Congressman John Culberson, Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Russell Poppe, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (photo courtesy HPM)

Funding will Complete Every Federally Authorized Flood Control Project in Houston and Harris County

HOUSTON, TX – Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett last week announced the influx of more than $4.5 billion in federal aid headed to Texas for flood prevention and mitigation efforts.

“This funding was secured as part of the hurricane relief bills I helped shepherd through Congress and, as promised, allows the Harris County Flood Control District to finish every federally authorized flood control project,” Congressman Culberson said. “We know this money is vitally important, but it is only part of the solution. I will continue to fight for legislation that will help protect families, homes and businesses in the future.”

Judge Emmett joined Congressman Culberson at the Jewish Community Center, which is located close to Brays Bayou. It suffered extensive damage because of flooding during Harvey. The current project underway by the Harris County Flood Control District is purposed to reduce flooding along the Brays Bayou and will receive $75 million. The other projects receiving money are:

— Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries – $1.4 million

— Clear Creek – $295 million

— Hunting Bayou – $65 million

— Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Costal Storm Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration Project – approximately $4 billion

— White Oak Bayou – $45 million

“If we truly hope to make our county and our region safer and more resilient, we will need a genuinely united effort – by our federal, state and local officials and from our residents themselves,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “I believe we are now seeing that united effort. Thanks to Congressman Culberson and the rest of our congressional delegation, this investment from the federal government will help us move forward with some of the key projects we need to protect ourselves and our neighbors.”

In February, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 that provided $89.3 billion in emergency federal assistance to recover from disasters. This brought the total provided in the three emergency supplemental bills for disaster recovery to over $141 billion. The bill included $17.39 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the risk of future flood damage from flood and storm events.