Issue 19
August / September 2022
Dr. Tina Petersen speaks about flood risk reduction at
the 7th Annual Flood Control Forum
Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District, recently spoke at the 7th Annual Flood Control Forum, organized by the West Houston Association. During the forum, Dr. Petersen remarked on how critical community partnerships are regarding advocacy efforts for funding for flood risk reduction projects, as community support and adequate funding is what makes Harris County more flood resilient.
To learn more about these projects and more visit hcfcd.org
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To read more about what was discussed at this year’s 7th Annual Flood Control District Forum, please visit the West Houston Association’s Website.
Flood Control District discuss MAAPNext with Texas Society of Provisional Engineers
Todd Ward, Risk Mitigation Department Manager at the Harris County Flood Control District attended the Texas Society of Professional Engineers August meeting to speak about MAAPNext.
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Funded by FEMA, the Harris County Modeling, Assessment and Awareness Project (MAAPnext) is a major transformative step in the management and regulation of Harris County’s floodplains, which will perform a key function of the future flood resilience of Harris County.
MAAPnext will improve the understanding of the flood risk in Harris County so that the public, local communities, and emergency managers can make informed decisions to protect life and property. Through the use of these new methodologies and technologies, and the most granular data available, MAAPnext grants a superior informative overview of flood risks throughout Harris County, including previously unmapped urban flooding. Other new data and information that will be used include updated terrain data and improved hydrologic and hydraulic modeling technology and methods.
FEMA and the Flood Control District expect many changes to be reflected in the resulting flood risk maps. These changes will impact how future projects, new development, and their associated mitigation strategies are implemented.
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To learn more about MAAPNext, visit maapnext.org
FEMA meets with Flood Control District to discuss Hazard Mitigation
As the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey approaches, the Flood Control District and local officials met with FEMA administrator, Deanne Criswell, on August 17, 2022, to discuss the Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs and lessons learned since Harvey.
The Flood Control District used this opportunity to showcase the regional flood warning system and to demonstrate how critical funding is for preparing our community for future weather events. Other topics of discussion included Harris County’s emergency response plan for flooding and how to better prepare, respond, and recover from future events.
“Being prepared is a shared responsibility. We all need to do our part. The last few years have taught us that we have to be prepared year-round for disasters,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who was also in attendance.
Flood Control District engages with Youth at Bright Futures Fair
The Harris County Flood Control District team joined Precinct One for the Bright Futures Fair on Friday, August 5, 2022, at the NRG Arena. The fair was part of Summer Games, where youth participants have the opportunity to engage in friendly competition and display their many talents.
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The Flood Control District staffed a booth at the event, sharing critical information regarding staying safe during hurricane season, the risks of flooding based on your geographic location, and also educated parents and children on everything that the Flood Control District does to help mitigate the effects of flooding in Harris County.
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A part of the Harris County Street Olympics: Summer Games, the Bright Futures Fair emphasizes health, safety and environmental awareness as an integral part of the Summer Games. The fair occurs during the game’s “Final Event” and features over 100 interactive booths from vendors and associated from all across Harris County and Houston. Booth vendors include city and county agencies, local schools, colleges, area museums, and private companies that all serve to educate, inform and stimulate learning in a fun-filled environment.
From the Executive Director
Click here to read the monthly message from the Harris County Flood Control District's Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen.
Safety Corner
Click here to read the most recent tips to stay safe during this hot summer season
Project Update
The project site of a future stormwater detention basin near Kingwood Park High School is currently being excavated. More than 51,000 cubic yards of material has been excavated at the former Woodridge site so far! More information on this project here.
Construction Update
Work continues on the stormwater detention basin along Aldine Mail Route Rd. This project is expected to remove about 59 acres from the Tributary P118-21-00 floodplain & 100 acres across the watershed during a 100-year storm event.
Learn more about this project by visiting http://hcfcd.org/C25
The Work Continues
Check out the progress on this Spring Gully site, north of Cypresswood Drive. This is one of multiple sites that are part of the Major Maintenance on Cypress Creek & Tributaries project, Batch 1. Learn more at http://hcfcd.org/CI-012
In the News
Ken Bullock
Creative Services Lead
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
About 7 months
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
Found the position on the web. Applied for the position, interviewed and got hired.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
Managing the creative talent at the Flood Control District. Working with the division as part of Communications to support the website, public notifications, presentations, social media, print and digital collateral with graphics, photography, video and other multimedia resources and support. I also coordinate with outside service firms and vendors when it is something outside of our skill set. We help produce anything the division uses to promote, educate and inform the public about Flood Control District. What we have done, what we are doing and what we intend to do.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District?
Not to sound cliché but the people. We have a lot of talented and very nice people here at Flood Control.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
Kind of torn between two things. The Tunnels Phase 2 Roll out (presentation and website) and the Hurricane Harvey Anniversary.
What has been your favorite project so far?
Most recently it would be the Harvey by the numbers Infographic that just rolled out for the 5-year anniversary.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Never stop learning and growing in your career. Keep current and fresh in your profession and skill set.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week?
We finally got some rain after this very hot and dry summer we have been having this year.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
At one point in my career, I drove a tank and I am still pretty active in military organizations.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I used to have hair...LOL!!! No most of my life I was very much an introvert.
What was your first job?
Data entry for my stepfather's company (around 14)
What do you like most about your job?
Being creative and making things better. I also enjoy problem solving which I see as a big part of my job.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
Being creative, making a difference, doing good work and of course the need for a salary.
What else would you like to share?:
I have more than 20 years experience in the creative field. Most of my experience has been corporate America (i.e., oil & gas, engineering, professional services) serving marketing, communications, ELT and proposal teams. On top of the usual graphics projects, I love doing campaign work advertising & marketing. I am a Certified Professional Photographer and a FAA Licensed and Certified Drone Pilot.
Current Projects
