Issue 9
September 2021
$250M Award to Remove Sediment Deposited from Hurricane Harvey
From the Interim Executive Director
Click here to read the monthly message from the Harris County Flood Control District's Interim Executive Director Alan Black.
After Strom Debris Assessments
Harris County Flood Control District Interim Executive Director explains more about the $250 million award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remove accumulated sediment in channels, creeks and bayous across eight watersheds. The sediment to be removed from the Willow Creek, White Oak Bayou, Spring Creek, Little Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou, Cypress Creek, Barker Reservoir and Addicks Reservoir watersheds was deposited during flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
Flood Control District Awarded Nearly $3.9M for Project in Halls Bayou
The Harris County Flood Control District was approved for a nearly $3.9 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) program for Bond Project C-28, a flood risk reduction project in the Halls Bayou watershed.
Bond Project C-28 will construct a stormwater detention basin and channel conveyance improvements on Halls Bayou tributaries P118-25-00 and P118-25-01, located in the vicinity of the Aldine Village and Oak Glen Place subdivisions. The project is an approximately $14 million investment in the Halls Bayou watershed, with the balance of the project costs funded through the 2018 Bond Program and the Flood Resilience Trust.
Program to Help Reduce Pollution in Galveston Bay Seeing Success
Harris County residents are working with the Harris County Flood Control District to spread the word about keeping pollutants out of local waterways. Several groups have already participated in the Flood Control District’s Stormwater Inlet Marking Program (SWIM) with many more scheduled to take part this month. SWIM is an environmental public education program to help reduce pollution into Galveston Bay. The program involves the application of markers on storm drains with the message "No Dumping, Flows to Galveston Bay." In the last 12 months, 2500 markers have been applied to storm drains.
Yesenia Martinez:
Commissioners Court Coordinator
Financial & Technical Services Division
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
2 ½ years
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
I have been with the county for 16 years. I started at the Criminal Justice Center then moved to the County Judge’s Office under the administration of Judge Ed Emmett. After Judge Emmett left office, I realized it was time for me to make some changes. That’s when I saw this awesome opportunity at the Harris County Flood Control District! I knew that my knowledge and experience at the Judge’s Office would help me succeed at the Flood Control District.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
My day-to-day responsibilities include preparing all agenda requests that go to Commissioners Court, this includes overseeing the development and providing a review of all commissioners court requests.
What do you like the most about your job?
I really enjoy the people I work with. I have developed some great friendships here at the Flood Control District.
What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
To work hard and be nice to people = Real Success!
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I have 5-year-old twin boys that keep me on my toes! Also, I love to cook for my family and friends!
The Harris County Flood Control District not only monitors water levels of bayous and creeks during storms, our crews also check waterways for damage and debris after heavy rain. Harris County residents may submit online requests with concerns regarding the operating condition of Flood Control District infrastructure at https://bit.ly/39ewKiY.
Out in the Community
The Flood Control District Communications team recently shared
educational materials with the community during Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner's Office's Civic Adventure Day last weekend in Cypress. The Harris County Flood Control District encourages the public to learn about their watershed and its unique challenges. Visit hcfcd.org for more information.
Upcoming Community Meeting
The Harris County Flood Control District and The City of Houston Public Works Department will be holding a joint Virtual Community Engagement Meeting for the Flood Control District’s Crenshaw Stormwater Detention Basin project and the Public Works Arlington Heights project. Both located in the Sims Bayou watershed, the purpose of this joint meeting is to inform residents about the status of each project and share project information.
The Virtual Community Engagement Meeting will be held on:
Thursday, October 28, 2021
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Join online at: PublicInput.com/crenshaw
Or by phone* at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 7775. For questions about the project fill out the comment form online at www.hcfcd.org/crenshaw.
In the News
Project to alleviate flooding in Harris Co. almost done, officials say
New flood control project beginning in Cypress Creek Watershed
Local residents enjoying benefits of work by flood control district
Friendswood makes progress on multiple flood mitigation projects
Employee Anniversaries
Current Projects
