Harris County Flood Control Bond Program -- Policy -- Community Exchange

Plain language summary

A $2.5 billion bond to fund flood mitigation projects across Harris County — including Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Sunnyside.

Harris County voters approved $2.5 billion in bonds in August 2018 to build flood protection projects across our community. This massive investment targets the flooding that hits somewhere in Harris County about every two years, often in neighborhoods built before current flood rules existed.

The bond money funds new drainage channels, stormwater detention basins, and bayou improvements. These projects increase how much water our drainage system can handle during heavy storms. Detention basins work like giant bathtubs - they catch excess rainwater during floods and slowly release it back to bayous when the danger passes.

Hurricane Harvey showed how desperately our area needed this investment. The bond program combines with federal and state funding to tackle flooding in watersheds like Buffalo Bayou, Brays Bayou, Cypress Creek, and White Oak Bayou. Each project gets prioritized based on how many homes and businesses it protects.

The Harris County Flood Control District manages all bond projects from planning through construction. Residents can track progress on specific projects in their neighborhoods through the district's website mapping tools. The work happens year-round, with maintenance teams keeping existing infrastructure ready for the next storm.

People can stay updated on bond projects affecting their area by signing up for news alerts through the Flood Control District website or attending community meetings when projects begin in their neighborhoods.