Harris County seeks support from federal government to ensure residents are 'protected from flooding'

With multiple flood mitigation projects underway and the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season – which is expected to run from June 1 through Nov. 30 – approaching, the focus for Harris County government on protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents continues through multiple channels.

Rodney Ellis, Precinct 1’s county commissioner, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with federal officials – including the White House and Congress – about the needs of Harris County residents in regard to flood protections.

"Harris County has numerous flood mitigation projects underway, and we need support from the federal government to ensure every Harris County resident is protected from flooding," Ellis said in a tweet.

Some of the measures being sought ahead of the 2021 hurricane season have included the installation of 23 new gauge stations by the Harris County Flood Control District, according to coverage by Community Impact. The gauges are meant to improve the district’s response to flooding by enhancing their gathering of rainfall information.

"It became clear during the widespread and significant flooding resulting from Tropical Storm Imelda in this area, that additional rainfall and stream information in the headwaters of these watersheds should greatly benefit downstream warning and preparations in northeast Harris County," Community Impact quoted from a district press release.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has also taken measures, forming a new Flood Rescue Group to improve its capabilities for responding to floods, according to coverage by KHOU 11. 

The new group uses former military trucks that can operate as high-water rescue vehicles, KHOU 11 reported. The sheriff’s office has certified a number of deputies in how to operate the vehicles safely for high-water rescue.

"In the military, I have put these vehicles in water up to the windows," HCSO Sgt. Brian Goldstein was quoted as saying by KHOU 11. "It’s not recommended because you could flood the engine out and obviously we’re not going to do that in order to save the vehicle so we can keep them in service longer.”