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Houston Matters

What Will Harris County’s Flood Bond Projects Entail – And What Else Is Needed?

On Aug. 25, Harris County voters will be asked to approve up to $2.5 billion in flood mitigation projects. Houston Matters learns what that means and gets your input.

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David J. Phillip/AP
Hurricane Harvey dropped record rainfall on Houston neighborhoods like this one, near Addicks Reservoir.

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On Aug. 25 – one year to the day after Hurricane Harvey's landfall – Harris County voters will vote on $2.5 billion worth of flood protection measures.

The bond would fund projects such as drainage improvements, upgraded warning systems, infrastructure repairs, home buyouts, and construction of more detention basins around Harris County.

But what specifically would some of these projects be, and how long would they take?

Houston Matters learns more from Russ Poppe. He's the executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. His organization is holding a series of public meetings around the county in the lead up to the election in order to gather public input on what other flood mitigation measures should be included in the bond. Residents can also submit their comments online.

Then we talk with flood prevention expert Jim Blackburn of Rice University's SSPEED Center for analysis of whether these projects are enough to protect the region and what else might be needed.