A regional flood resiliency coalition among the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, Harris County and Waller County will join efforts to reduce flood damage in the region. A regional flood resiliency coalition among the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, Harris County and Waller County will join efforts to reduce flood damage in the region.
The overview
Officials with the three entities signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, during a ceremony Aug. 31. Harris and Waller counties will partner with the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District to “expand flood warning systems, build strategic detention capacity and protect families across jurisdictional lines,” according to a news release. The three entities have interconnected watersheds and drainage systems that require “proactive regional coordination,” according to the MOU.
The MOU outlines uniting resources, standardizing drainage guidelines and advancing coordinated infrastructure projects, per the release. It is a non-binding agreement and does not create financial obligations.
Waller County Commissioner Justin Beckendorff said the region’s growth and development have made the cross-boundary partnership imperative.
“The devastation doesn’t know any boundaries,” Beckendorff said. “And we’re here today to show that we don’t either, that we’re gonna work together to do what’s best for the citizens of Katy, Waller County, Harris County and our surrounding area.”
The context
Harris County previously partially funded a study with the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, which looked at ways to mitigate flooding along major creeks in the Katy area. The coalition will expand on that relationship, potentially improving the flood warning system and sharing technology between counties, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones said.
The announcement comes as Precinct 3 moves forward with several flood mitigation projects. The Harris County Commissioners Court recently approved $22 million in project bids aimed at increasing the amount of stormwater held in the Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou and Addicks Reservoir watersheds.
Harris County Precinct 4 is also working to mitigate flood damage, recently announcing six northwest Harris County neighborhoods are receiving drainage upgrades. Both precincts are also working on restoring the Addicks Reservoir.
With Greater Houston under a flood watch, Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey said announcing the coalition is the first step of many in partnership.
“It matters to everybody in the county that we get this relationship... right. And as development proceeds in Waller County, that we can... maybe save y’all a dollar or two, in terms of experiences we’ve had.”
