Ramsey Addresses Kingwood Group as Tropical Storm Forms Offshore

6/17/26 – Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey PE addressed the Kingwood Executive Group this morning about flooding and infrastructure as the season’s first tropical storm formed less than a hundred miles away from Houston. Local business owners comprise the group. Many had flooded badly during Hurricane Harvey.

They came eager to learn more about the status of flood-mitigation efforts in the area, turmoil at the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), and a new, 5,300-acre proposed floodplain development just upstream from Kingwood. And true to form, Ramsey addressed each issue head on. But first…

Tropical Storm Arthur

Ironically, just as Tropical Storm Arthur formed, the rain started to end in the Lake Houston Area. That’s because of lopsided nature of Arthur. See the infrared water-vapor satellite image below. Most of the rain is falling offshore and to the east of Galveston Bay.

NHC expects Arthur to dump torrential rains on East Texas and Louisiana as it moves inland – up to 20 inches in places. Freeport received 9 inches this morning. However, totals dropped off farther inland with much of SE Harris County receiving only 2-4 inches. My rain gage in Kingwood recorded less than a half inch between midnight and 11 AM.

Arthur formed a timely and ironic backdrop for a speech about flooding to many whose homes and businesses flooded severely.

Ramsey’s Priorities

Ramsey, began his talk to the Executive Group with a story about his focus compared to others on Commissioners Court. “My job is to, number one, take care of infrastructure,” he said. “That’s what I get most of my calls on. Most people don’t call me about my policies. They call me on, ‘When are you going to fix something?’ My colleagues, on the other hand, are focused more on social programs.”

Replacement of HCFCD Director

Ramsey then segued to the resignation of HCFCD Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen last week. “It may have been some concern to people, but it was a necessary thing if we’re going to do what we need to get done.”

He then added, “We will appoint a new director next week. And it will be an engineer, not a politician. An engineer who can deliver projects, not hold press conferences and tell you what you want to hear. It will be someone that actually understands what it takes to get projects delivered.” 

Flood Bond Update

After emphasizing the need to speed up project delivery, Ramsey gave a brief update on the 2018 Flood Bond. The $2.5 billion approved by voters attracted another $2.7 billion in matching funds for a total of $5.2 billion available. But the county has only spent about $1.5 billion of that since 2018.

“So, we have a lot to do,” said Ramsey. “Probably another $3+ billion in the next four years. You better have someone who understands construction, who can deal with the things that happen during construction. My concern is that the easiest part is done. Design work is the easy part. Go actually build $3.5 billion worth of improvements! That’s a huge deal.”

Kingwood Flood-Mitigation Projects

Ramsey noted that the Taylor Gully/Woodridge project has started construction, but that the Kingwood Diversion Ditch project is still being studied. He wants to put the pedal to the metal on that one too. HCFCD spent 4 years doing a preliminary engineering review on the Diversion Ditch that was supposed to have taken 300 days. The latest Flood Bond Update shows the project may start construction in 2030, after HCFCD completes another study.

“You must have other projects queued up ready for construction,” Ramsey said. “I don’t know that we have all the money lined out for that construction, but you have to get the design work done. I’d rather have a whole lot of projects sitting on the shelf ready to build, than sit around and wait for someone to decide for us what the priorities are.”

Scarborough Floodplain Development

Ramsey next addressed the proposed 5,300-acre development north of Harris County in the floodplain at the confluence of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and Spring Creek. He called it “A really bad idea.”

“Some ill advised folks are trying to do some development there.” Ramsey suggested instead that the area should become a park. “What a great park that 5,000 acres would make for this entire area. What a great location for significant flood mitigation for the entire county!”

He emphasized that every drop of rain falling north and west of the confluence funnels past Kingwood. “Sometimes we lose sight of that,” he said.

More than 7,500 flood-weary residents from surrounding areas have signed a petition against the development.

Lake Houston Dam Gates Funding, Other Issues

Ramsey spent much of rest of his time discussing a series of related issues, their connections, and finding funding for them.

In regard to adding more floodgates to the Lake Houston Dam, he noted potential significant cost escalation. That led to a discussion of partnership funding, surplus toll-road income, and using money for pressing state-mandated obligations versus other issues that have no constitutional mandate.

Before becoming commissioner in 2020, Ramsey began his engineering career 50 years ago designing drainage systems in the Porter/New Caney area. So, he is thoroughly versed on infrastructure issues in the Lake Houston Area and is fighting to make us safer.

The timing of his talk as Arthur was forming in the Gulf provided an irony worthy of a Hollywood movie!

Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/17/2026

3214 Days since Hurricane Harvey