4/25/26 – Since I last posted about the Northpark Drive Expansion Project in Kingwood eleven days ago, contractors have continued to push forward.
They have also virtually completed everything east of the bridge abutment all the way to the eastern terminus of the project near the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. Here’s an update on what is and isn’t complete in Phase I.
Eastern Part of Project Virtually Done
The entire project from US59 to the eastern terminus is about a mile. Eight-tenths of that mile is virtually complete – everything between Parkwood Baptist Church to the start of the eastern bridge abutment in front of the Quick Quack Car Wash.
In this segment of the project, I observed:
Medians that need to be planted with grass in some areas
One lane of traffic on each side of the median still blocked off
Traffic cones still blocking off turn lanes where new traffic control lights have not yet been activated
A few gaps in “multi-use pathways.” They’re those things that resemble sidewalks, but are wider.
Other than that, it’s clear sailing in wider lanes than existed before the project. See the pictures below all taken during the afternoon of April 24, 2026. The sequence goes from east to west beginning near Russell Palmer Road.
Between Parkwood Baptist and Advance Auto Parts, looking at the newly completed turn lanes at Russell Palmer.New traffic signals at Russell Palmer are installed but not yet activated. Multi-use pathways in this area need the most help of anywhere else on the entire project.Just beyond Russell Palmer, we can see that pathways still have a few gaps and that the median has been scraped down to the dirt.Farther west, by Warren’s LandscapingStill father west by Smart StorageApproaching the entrance to Italiano’s and Kings Mill (left side). Sherwin Williams and Quick Quack on right mark the end of the mostly completed segment.
Bridge Construction
Things get a little hairier in the last 2/10s of a mile. The east abutment is coming along well. It appears to have reached its full height or close to it.
Eastern bridge abutment
According to the new three-week look ahead schedule, contractors will begin paving up to the ramp next week.
Railroad Crossing
So far, that’s all great news. But Northpark contractors still are working out issues at the UnionPacific Railroad crossing near Loop 494.
On the south side of Northpark, two traffic signal poles still block completion of the new surface lanes. Of course, they’re needed to control traffic for now.
Note unpaved sections of new surface lanes to left of inbound traffic.On the north side of Northpark, UPRR has installed new crossing signals, but the multi-use pathway is not complete.
Zig Zag Continues
Traffic near Loop 494 continues to curve in and out around a) the eastern bridge abutment and b) where the western bridge abutment will eventually go between Whataburger and PNC Bank.
Wide shot showing current traffic patternnear bridgeSecond abutment will be built in the “dirt covered” area west of Loop 494.
Entry-Pond Excavation
Meanwhile, excavation of the south entry pond at US59 continues.
Looking N across southern pondExcavation of the northern pond appears complete.
Contractors will apply cement and line both ponds at the same time to save money. That should happen around mid-May, 2026.
Street Illumination and Hydro-Mulch for Ditch One
The street light crew is continuing installation of street light foundations and light poles throughout the project.
You can also search this website for “Northpark” for links to close to more than 200 posts about the progress of the project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/25/2026
3161 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DJI_20260424141826_0930_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-04-25 20:47:252026-04-27 06:03:16Northpark Making Good Progress Despite a Few Hiccups
4/24/25 – Sales tax on emergency supplies will be suspended from April 25-27, 2026. This is a great opportunity to stock up on things you might need for hurricane season and save some money.
Prepare yourself during the 2026 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.
This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 27.
Save tax on batteries, lanterns, flashlights and more this weekend.
What Qualifies
These emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption if purchased for a sales price:
Less than $3000
Portable generators
Less than $300
Emergency ladders
Hurricane shutters
Less than $75
Axes
Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Can openers – nonelectric
Carbon monoxide detectors
Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric
Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Radios – portable self-powered (including battery operated) – includes two-way and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting.
Note: Several over-the-counter self-care items, such as antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes, are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a “Drug Facts” panel in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
What Does NOT Qualify
These supplies do NOT qualify for tax exemption:
Medical masks and face mask.
Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes
Gloves, including leather, fabric, latex and types used in healthcare
Toilet paper
Batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles
Camping stoves
Camping supplies
Chainsaws
Plywood
Extension ladders
Stepladders
Tents
Repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies
Services performed on, or related to, emergency preparation supplies.
Online Purchases and Telephone Orders
During the holiday you can buy qualifying emergency preparation supplies in-store, online, by telephone, mail, custom order, or any other means. The sale of the item must take place during the specific period. The purchase date is easy to determine when the purchase is made in-store but becomes more complicated with remote purchases.
The purchaser must have given the consideration for the item during the period even if the item may not be delivered until after the period is over.
For example, if a purchaser enters their credit card information in an online shopping website on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.to purchase a qualifying generator, but the generator will not be shipped until Friday, May 1, 2026, and will not arrive until Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the purchase will still qualify for the exemption.
However, if the charge to credit card is declined by the payment processor at 11:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, and the purchaser does not resubmit payment until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the purchase is taxable.
Additional Charges Affect the Sales Price
Delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the holiday.
For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.
Sales Tax Holiday Refund Requests
Purchasers can buy certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the annual Texas Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday. If you pay sales tax on these items during the sales tax holiday, you can ask the seller for a refund of the tax paid. The seller can either grant the refund or provide their customer with Form 00-985, Assignment of Right to Refund (PDF) that allows the purchaser to file the refund claim directly with the Comptroller’s office.
Should you have additional questions about refund requests, please contact us at 800-531-5441, ext. 34545, or visit the Sales Tax Refunds web page for further details on filing a refund claim.
4/23/25 – Yesterday, the law firm McGehee, Chang, Feiler – the law firm representing downstream plaintiffs in the Addicks-Barker Reservoirs litigation – announced that Judge Loren A. Smith ruled in favor of plaintiffs in their “takings” case against the Army Corps of Engineers.
Takings Clause of Fifth Amendment
“Takings” refers to the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. One of its clauses mandates that private property cannot be taken for public use without “just compensation.”
The vast Addicks reservoir in a May 2021 rain event. During Harvey, water was even higher.Barker Reservoir, also in May 2021.
When the Corps released water from the reservoirs during Hurricane Harvey, it flooded downstream residents. Plaintiffs argued that the flooding amounted to a taking under the Fifth Amendment and therefore they were entitled to just compensation for their losses.
Entering Year 9 of Litigation, More Likely to Come
We are now entering Year 9 of the litigation in the Addicks-Barker case. After Judge Smith’s ruling, the law firm wrote its clients in the case. They said, “This afternoon, we finally received the long-awaited decision from the Court. We are pleased to report that the Court found in our favor.”
The Court GRANTED summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs and DENIED a summary judgment in favor of defendant on all motions.
However, while basking in the win, the firm reminded clients that this is just the first phase of the case (the liability phase). “The second phase–the determination of damages, or how much the government needs to compensate the property owners–is still ahead,” said the release. “Nonetheless, we are pleased that the Court finally issued this ruling after nine years of litigation (since 2017).”
The first 15 pages cite the legal standards that apply to the case and lay out what the plaintiffs had to prove. Without going into every detail, I will observe that the Judge sided with plaintiffs on all key issues.
The time and duration of the flooding rose to the level of a taking.
Flooding from the release was both intentional and foreseeable.
Defendant’s own data and testimony revealed that the flooding of downstream was entirely foreseeable.
The Corps knowingly flooded plaintiffs’ properties.
The releases caused severe and catastrophic damage to plaintiffs’ properties.
The character of the land and plaintiffs reasonable investment-backed expectations did not anticipate intentional flooding of their properties.
Plaintiffs established that their properties experienced more flooding than if defendant had kept the gates closed.
The Corps could not invoke the “necessity doctrine” to excuse themselves because the dams were not in imminent peril before they chose to release water. Further, by the Corps own post-event analysis, “There were no observations of seepage, or critical distress areas located on the dams.” No structural damage or overtopping occurred.
The government’s “police powers” did not grant it immunity.
4/22/26 – Today was the last straw. I have concluded that Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is broken.
I’ve been writing for several days about Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) projects supposedly “under construction” that aren’t. Some people might call that:
Lying
The left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing
Poor word-smithing or
Fuzzy communication designed to create the illusion of progress.
But I suspect we all can agree that it’s certainly misleading and unpardonable from a public agency.
The TC Jester East Stormwater Detention Basin 1-B makes an excellent example.
TC Jester East Basin 1-B Still Not in Construction
The TC Jester East Basin received “authorization to use government funds” on 10/30/25 – six months ago.
The construction schedule they published on 12/5/26 originally said construction would start in Q2 2026 and finish in Q4 2028 – almost two years after the Texas General Land Office deadline of 2/28/2027.
After discussions with Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey PE, HCFCD changed the finish date on the HCFCD website to Q2 2027.
But when Dr. Tina Petersen, HCFCD’s executive director, testified before Commissioners Court on 4/16/2026 to explain how she would beat the deadline, she said that TC Jester was “in construction.” So, I went to check on 4/19/26. It was not. I saw only a construction trailer onsite. No excavators, bulldozers, dump trucks, clearing or dirt moving. Just virgin forest.
The headline trumpeted: “Construction of Compartment 1B of the T.C. Jester East Stormwater Detention Basin is Underway!”
Copy said, “Construction crews are accessing the site at Cypresswood Drive and T.C. Jester Boulevard. Residents are urged to respect all warning signs.”
The image showed an excavator digging dirt with a construction worker in the pit.
Further, the email said that the site was receiving “funding up to $25.9 million through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR).” However, HCFCD’s website says the amount is $20.8 million. And Petersen’s presentation to commissioners on 4/19/26 said $23.3+ million.
But it gets even better. Toward the bottom of the email, the copy says, “Anticipated Schedule: Construction Start Q1 2026.” In other words…
Excited, I drove to the job site again to photograph the traffic cones, flag men, construction equipment, and bustling bulldozers supposedly onsite. Was I surprised!
Visit to Job Site Shows Construction Still Not Started
A few pickup trucks were parked outside the construction trailer. That’s it.
TC Jester East Basin 1B will wrap around this pre-existing basin where a construction trailer and a few pickups were parked.
See photos from the rest of the visit below. I took all of these on 4/22/26.
Looking E across TC Jester in foreground at treed area where basin will go.Looking E along Cypresswood Drive. No construction equipment or other entrances in sight.Looking at intersection of Cypresswood (l) and TC Jester (r) where email warned of equipment accessing the site.Looking W along Cypress Creek back toward TC Jester. No clearing.No construction equipment.
If HCFCD hopes they can fool commissioners into believing that they are farther along on this project than they actually are, it’s backfiring. At this point, there probably isn’t enough time to build this project before its 2/28/27 deadline. Even HCFCD’s own construction completion date of Q2 2027 admits that.
Petersen must be banking on deadline extensions that may not come.
Smoke Screen Designed to Delay “Day of Reckoning”?
Commissioners have already approved several construction contracts associated with this funding. And HCFCD has issued multiple press releases saying those projects are in construction. But are they really?
Or, are the announcements a smokescreen for Petersen to buy more time and postpone her “Day of Reckoning,” as Rodney Ellis called it in the 4/16/26 Commissioners Court Meeting?
Such announcements mislead and could cost Harris County taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.
If this were private-sector financial communication, investors would howl to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, FDIC, Federal Reserve and law enforcement.
Within the context of pressure to get these projects moving quickly or face the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars, HCFCD put out false information that masks the potential risk. Intentionally or not.
So have I. It’s time for new leaders at HCFCD who can get the District moving again.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/22/26
3158 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DJI_20260422103703_0868_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-04-22 21:38:522026-04-23 11:25:20It’s Time to Admit HCFCD is Broken
4/21/26 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has taken more than 4 years to spend about 4% of the $322 million that HUD allocated to HCFCD for Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). That figure is carved out of a larger total ($868 million) that also includes CDBG Mitigation funds.
Former Texas General Land Office (GLO) Commissioner George P. Bush announced his intention to allocate $750 million of US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to Harris County on 5/26/21. HUD approved that amount on 3/18/22. Subsequently, it increased when the GLO also re-allocated unused funds from storms before Harvey to Harris County.
Here’s a high-level breakdown as of today.
Source: Texas General Land Office. 4/21/26.
HCFCD has spent only 3.59% of the CDBG-DR project funds to date. That group has the tightest deadline, just 313 days away and involves roughly a third of a billion dollars.
Feasibility, preliminary-engineering, and final design studies
Cost estimates
Bids
Property acquisition (for some projects)
Obtaining GLO and HUD approval for all of the above.
But still…
Unnecessarily Burdensome Processes, Changing Horses in Midstream
Harris County made it more difficult than necessary with its own equity prioritization framework, which changed several times.
Judge Hidalgo and Commissioners Ellis and Garcia also forced out the management team that developed and sold the 2018 flood bond. Their replacement, Dr. Tina Petersen, had a long, steep learning curve and big shoes to fill. She also lost many key employees. That disrupted business continuity and cost institutional knowledge.
Since she took office, spending has gone down consistently as the pace of work slowed, partly as a consequence of a management style she calls “being more intentional.”
Self-Inflicted Wound
Having spent four years bickering about equity, the county now has just 10 months left to actually build all the jobs in order to beat a firm 2/28/27 deadline and avoid losing potentially ALL of the CDBG-DR funds.
According to a document submitted to commissioners court on 4/16/26 by Petersen and aerial photographs that I have taken, it appears that contractors are actually only turning dirt on one of 11 CDBG-DR projects.
Compare that with the TC Jester Basin project shown below. Both photos were taken on 4/19/2026.
TC Jester East Basin will go in the big treed area in the center. “Construction” was announced last December 5.
Past Experience a Logistical Red Flag
If history is any indication, the vast majority of the CDBG-DR projects will take longer than 10 months to build. Ten of the 11 are large detention basins that typically take one to two years to build. The Mercer Basin on Cypress Creek, finished just last week, took three years. And TC Jester, above, is 55% larger.
If Petersen can pull the projects off before the buzzer sounds, she deserves that $90,000 raise she got last year. If not, she won’t be the only one with egg on her face.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/21/26
3157 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DR-MIT-Totals-for-HCFCD-and-HCD-as-of-2026-04-21-1-scaled.png?fit=2560%2C491&ssl=14912560adminadmin2026-04-21 19:49:302026-04-21 22:11:14HCFCD Has Taken 4 Years to Spend 4% of HUD CDBG-DR Funds
4/20/2026 – On April 10, 2026, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) announced that it finally completed its Mercer Stormwater Detention Basin – two years after the originally scheduled completion date. The one-year construction project turned into three years before it was over.
Mercer’s delays underscore the risk associated with eleven similar projects with a firm completion deadline just 314 days away – 2/28/2027. They involve a third of a billion dollars in US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) administered by the Texas General Land Office (GLO).
Harris County Commissioners have tried to understand whether the projects could miss the deadline and jeopardize the funding. But HCFCD’s executive director, Dr. Tina Petersen, has not supplied them with sufficiently detailed information to assess the risk. Her high-level reports mask logistical red flags with vague generalities.
For example, she says:
The TC Jester East Basin project is “in construction.” But aerial photos show that no actual construction equipment is onsite, only a construction trailer. Clearing has not yet even begun.
She says the Isom Street Basin on Halls Bayou is “out for bids.” But she does not address how her department will meet the same deadline, ten months away when such projects usually require one to two years.
As a consequence, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she has “lost confidence” in Petersen. And Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a resolution demanding specifics about how HCFCD will complete all CDBG projects.
So, let’s look at some specifics.
Mercer Basin Had Multiple Delays
The Mercer Basin sits between Cypress Creek and FM1960 immediately east of the Hardy Tollroad. It features two dry-bottom compartments that provide an estimated 512 acre-feet of stormwater storage. It had multiple delays totaling two years, but is now finished. See the photos below taken April 19, 2026
Looking west along FM1969 (l) at southern compartment of Mercer Basin, with second basin in upper right.Looking NW at northern compartment and Cypress Creek. Hardy Tollroad cuts through upper part of frame.Spillway lets water overflowing from Cypress Creek into basin.A culvert connects the northern and southern basins so that floodwater from the creek can use both for storage.
HCFCD began the project in 2022. Construction was to have begun in Spring 2023 on an expedited basis and should have finished by April 2024. But it actually finished in April 2026. See the timetable below.
In July 2024, I went to photograph the completed basin and discovered contractors had not yet started digging. They were still clearing the land. So, I decided to return regularly.
On April 10, 2026, HCFCD called it “substantially” complete.
On April 19, 2026, I finally verified completion – two years late.
Playing Beat the Clock for Other Projects
That experience doesn’t bode well for 11 other CDBG-DR projects that HCFCD now has in development with a firm expiration date on funding – February 28, 2027 – just ten months away. To be more precise, there are only…
314 days left on the shot clock!
Now you know why Harris County Commissioners and the County Judge put a full court press on HCFCD Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen in their 4/16/26 Commissioners Court meeting.
Petersen presented a vague, high-level status report. For instance, it said the TC Jester Stormwater Detention Basin project was “in construction,” but not what percentage of construction was complete. When I photographed it on 4/19/26, I saw no construction equipment – only a construction trailer. Not one tree had been cleared yet. And that basin is much larger than the Mercer Basin which took three years to build. See below.
Looking E across TC Jester at large forested area where new basin will wrap around small existing basin (middle right)
HCFCD announced that the TC Jester project would start construction “soon” back on December 5, 2025 – four and a half months ago. Now the deadline is just 10 months away. And the time-critical basin is 55% larger than the two Mercer Basins combined that took 3 years to build.
The Isom Street Project also uses CDBG-DR funds. It involves clearing an area near Halls Bayou adjacent to two existing detention basins, creating a new detention basin, and then connecting all three.
Isom Street Project on Halls Bayou. Existing basins on the left and right will connect with new one in the treed area.
The Isom Project has the same 2/28/27 deadline, but it is even less far along than TC Jester. Petersen told Commissioners Court it was “in bidding.”
At this point, it’s not clear how HCFCD will meet the deadline. And county commissioners need that clarity.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/20/2026
3156 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DJI_20260419163132_0821_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-04-20 18:03:072026-04-21 19:39:07Mercer Basin Delays Illustrate Risk To Eleven Projects with HUD Funding
4/18/2026 – I have written thousands of articles about drainage, flooding, governance, and infrastructure projects since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Reporting on these topics triggered a flood of emotions: anxiety, frustration, exasperation, enlightenment, disappointment, empathy, sadness and hope. After writing yesterday’s post about the most recent Harris County commissioners court meeting, I added “anger” to that list.
Potential Loss of Funding Due to Needless Delays
As discussed in yesterday’s post and a Houston Chronicle article, Harris County is poised to lose hundreds of millions of dollars intended for flood-prevention projects all across the county because of looming deadlines that Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) likely won’t be able to meet. Missing those deadlines could mean an unprecedented failure for HCFCD, the County Judge, Commissioners, and Harris County residents.
HCFCD Exec, Director, Dr. Tina Petersen fielded angry questions from Commissioners and the County Judge on 4/16/2026.
Why am I angry? During numerous conversations with knowledgeable sources on Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) and Flood Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding, I learned of project delays. Those delays jeopardize deadlines that were identified with these projects more than TWO YEARS AGO.
Another example: HUD originally set a deadline of May, 2026 (next month), to complete the TC Jester East Detention Basin, which hasn’t even started construction yet. Most large detention basins take at least a year to complete or – more likely – two years.
HCFCD began planning the TC Jester project in 2021, announced funding availability in 2023, and now plans to START construction in the second quarter of 2026. The District hopes to complete it sometime in Q2 2027. The already extended deadline is February 28, 2027. The delays put $12 million CDBG-DR dollars at risk.
Vague Responses to Specific Questions
But instead of reporting the projected completion date to Commissioners Court yesterday, Dr. Tina Petersen, head of HCFCD, transmitted a vague schedule indicating the current project phase was “construction” and that it would cost $23.5+ million dollars – nine million dollars more than the District’s own press release said it would cost on 12/5/2025.
Over and over again during Commissioners Court meetings, Court members have asked Dr. Petersen if there were any problems … if they could help in any way … if the projects were on track. Each time, Dr. Petersen would give vague, squishy, feel-good answers, such as “we are doing everything we can” and “all projects will be out to bid soon.”
Masking Red Flags with Hopeful Generalizations
The 4/16/26 Commissioners Court meeting was the same. Petersen masked logistical red flags with vague generalizations. Most likely, none of the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT projects – totaling $850 million – will meet the deadlines associated with their respective grants. Eleven DR projects all face a completion deadline of February 28, 2027 – less than ten months from now. MIT projects have slightly more time.
The truth is that the Flood Control District is relying on and hoping for schedule extensions that may not come.
Most good leaders know that hope is not a strategy.
HCFCD’s own data highlights Petersen’s lack of performance.
The Flood Control District has more resources available than most public agencies. Last year, she hired consultants to augment HCFCD staff in executing these projects. What excuse do they have for not delivering these projects and protecting us from the next flood???
Confidence Lost
I am in agreement with Judge Hidalgo. I have little confidence in HCFCD’s leader at this point.
Their experiment has failed in my opinion and will likely cost all of us dearly. Ironically, most flood-control dollars were already going to low-income watersheds.
In 2021, a year before the county’s first equity prioritization framework, I obtained surprising data via a Freedom of Information Act Request. It showed that four Harris County watersheds – those with the highest low-to-moderate income (LMI) populations – already received more flood-mitigation spending than all other 19 watersheds combined in the previous 20 years.
During our next flood, when people are putting their drywall and furniture on the curb and wondering why this happened, I hope that Commissioner Garcia can own up to his mistake in recommending Dr. Petersen to lead HCFCD. But I don’t have much confidence that will happen.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/18/2026
3154 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tina-Petersen-in-Hot-Seat.jpg?fit=1100%2C581&ssl=15811100adminadmin2026-04-18 16:02:322026-04-19 10:59:34Editorial: A Flood of Emotions About Flood Control, Including Anger
4/17/2026 – Harris County Commissioners Court erupted into open hostilities yesterday when County Judge Lina Hidalgo publicly blasted Dr. Tina Petersen, head of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). This issue had to do with the potential loss of close to a third of a billion dollars in federal Community Development Block Grants for disaster relief (CDBG-DR).
Specifically, Hidalgo received a status report on the endangered projects at 5:00 AM, just hours before the start of the meeting. Hidalgo said the report did not include status information and timelines that she had previously requested showing how the projects would be completed before deadlines.
“I would be embarrassed to show this to any member of the public,” said Hidalgo, “I’m totally baffled by this.” Before yielding the floor, Hidalgo added, “I just lost my confidence in you.”
County Judge Lina Hidalgo holding up transmittal that arrived hours before commissioners court with 2-year-old timeline.
Petersen tried to be apologetic. She said she misunderstood what the Judge requested. Hidalgo retorted, “How do you NOT know this, Director? I spoke with you directly.”
What Commissioners Court Requested
The discussion had to do with two items on the agenda – #300 and #366.
#300. Request for discussion and possible action regarding the status of the Harris County Flood Control District’s CDBG-MIT and CDBG-DR programs, including updates on the project-level schedule. These updates must include a timeline with benchmarks for all projects and information on how they will meet the necessary deadlines.
#366. Transmittal by the Flood Control District on project status updates for the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs.
What Commissioners Received
HCFCD submitted two reports, neither of which the public could see. However, I have since obtained them. The first shows a timeline. But it stops in 2024. In fairness, it also shows a table that indicates the current “phase” of each project. But that wasn’t enough for Hidalgo. She said, “I ask for a timeline and what I see here is the timeline between February 2018 and July 2024. That already passed!”
The two-year-old timeline in HCFCD report to Commissioners Court
Here is the other report. It contains a table showing when projects were amended into HCFCD’s contract with the Texas General Land Office, which administers HUD funds in Texas. With one exception, the dates range from 2024 to 2025.
Hidalgo: “There’s not a project-by-project summary here!”
Petersen: “So, what’s the point?”
“The public is seeing that we might miss the deadline and you’re saying, here’s the deadline. How is that helping, Director?”
Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge
Hidalgo continued, “People have been waiting for these projects. We report the projects are behind and you’re not providing anything that provides any sort of assurance to the community, much less to me, that you’re on track.”
“I requested a timeline that showed where we are, what the deadlines are, and what we’re going to do to meet those deadlines,” she added.
“We secured this money back in 2021. I don’t know at what point we got behind, but it’s well past time for there to be a clear timeline. And so, I am really demanding that, Director.”
Ramsey Concerns
Earlier in the discussion, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, addressed many of the same issues but more diplomatically.
Ramsey focused on specific deficiencies in Petersen’s reports. He expressed desire to see accurate construction estimates and pointed out two errors totaling approximately $15 million.
He also emphasized the need to communicate clear project start times, duration and completion dates. “None of those can be left blank,” he said.
Ramsey lamented the fact that projects were reported by Bond IDs, not individual projects. (A bond ID can contain multiple projects, masking project delays.)
He also lamented that HCFCD has taken up to TWO YEARS to execute new contracts. “You just can’t do that,” he said.
Ramsey also wanted the “percentage of completion” of construction, because that’s “what the GLO needs.” He then proposed a three-part motion, laying out exactly what the Court and GLO want to see.
Ramsey Motion Passes Unanimously
Ramsey’s motion says:
“I move that the Harris County Flood Control District provides Commissioners Court with monthly project-level schedules and financial reporting for all CDBG-DR and -MIT flood mitigation projects. The monthly report shall include, for eachproject, the:
Estimated design completion date
Estimated construction start date (and actual start of construction when applicable)
Total expected construction duration in calendar days
Estimated construction completion date
Total project budget
Amount encumbered
Bid award amount
Amount spent to date
Any project delays.
“I further move that HCFCD will submit this information in a consistent monthly format that clearly identifies any schedule changes, delays, or financial variances from the prior month, so that Commissioners Court can exercise meaningful oversight and ensure transparency in project delivery.
“I further move that the first monthly report will be due on May 1, 2026, and all other monthly reports will be due on the third Monday of every month thereafter.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Briones Reaction
Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones agreed with Ramsey and his motion. She felt information was crucial to the success of the CDBG program.
Ellis Reaction
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said, “Judgment day is coming soon.” He asked Petersen what she would have done differently, but she dodged his question.
He ended by saying, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed; but I’m very concerned.”
Garcia Reaction
In contrast, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia was full of sunshine. He blamed delays on the previous administration.
For More Information
To see video of the entire discussion, go to this page on the Harris County website. Click on Departments 3 of 3. Then scroll forward to approximately 4:13:40.
Click on the tab in the right hand panel to see a transcript of the discussion.
For a history of the CDBG projects, search ReduceFlooding.com using “CDBG”.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/17/2026
3153 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Hidalgo-Holding-Up-Status-Report.png?fit=1622%2C884&ssl=18841622adminadmin2026-04-17 18:09:362026-04-22 17:24:07Hidalgo Publicly Blasts HCFCD Leader: “I Just Lost My Confidence in You”
4/16/2026 – Join volunteers from around Kingwood for “Median Madness: Round 7” this Saturday, 4/18/2026, starting at 8:30 AM along Kingwood Drive at Trailwoood Village Drive.
Help trim back underbrush. Remove vines. Improve traffic safety. And beautify Kingwood. While you have fun. Exercise. And make friends. All at the same time. The event will last until noon.
About Median Madness
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger began Median Madness in 2024. Since then hundreds of volunteers have made a visible difference in their community by trimming back vines and underbrush that were spilling out into major traffic arteries.
This weekend, an army of volunteers for Round 7 of Median Madness will tackle another sore point near the entrance to Trailwood Village.
What to Bring
Wear close-toed shoes and bring your work gloves and water. If you have sheers, bring them. If not, no worries. The Houston Tool Bank will have some there that you can use.
Everyone is welcome, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Remember the ten two-letter words that make all the difference in the world: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
You can make your community safer and more beautiful.
Parking
The closest side streets near the Trailwood Village Median are Hidden Creek Dr. (on the Trailwood Village side) and Pine River Dr. (on the South Woodland Hills side). These also have access to the trail entrances to safely access the median.
A Thank You to Sponsors
This event is supported by the Trailwood Village Community Association, the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Public Works, HPD, Trees for Kingwood, the Houston Tool Bank, H‑E‑B, and Chick‑fil‑A.
Trees for Kingwood is working with the Texas A&M Forest Service to plan improvements to Kingwood’s medians. They include replacing invasive species with native species to make growth in the medians more sustainable and maintainable. The invasive species have totally crowded out native species in numerous places.
Once registered, you’ll receive an email with a waiver and helpful tips to prepare for the event. Be sure to complete the waiver and bring a printed copy with you on the day of Median Madness, April 18th. Thank you!
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/16/2026
3152 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Median-Madness-Flyer-_1_-_1_.jpg?fit=1100%2C564&ssl=15641100adminadmin2026-04-16 10:43:472026-04-16 18:29:28Make a Visible Difference in Your Community at Median Madness
4/15/2026 – In the quest the build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, there’s still much work to do. But contractors have made significant progress on Northpark in the last few weeks.
The two ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at the US59 entrance are getting deeper. Meanwhile, the bridge abutment east of the railroad tracks is getting higher. And Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark is getting wider.
Also of note: concrete for the surface lanes that will flank the bridge is creeping ever closer to the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.
See details and photos below.
Entry Ponds Deepen
Contractors are deepening the two entry ponds at US59. Last week, it appeared that they had reached the designed depth in the north pond. Then came the rains. As you can see in the photo below, it had some significant erosion. And in this photo taken this morning, it appears contractors have returned to remove more silt.
North pond at Northpark and 59 on 4/15/26Work on the south pond had paused this morning, while the focus returned to the north pond.
It appears that contractors made significant progress on the south pond. But you can clearly see the effects of erosion from the heavy rains.
To prevent similar erosion in the future, the ponds will be lined with concrete. That work should be completed by the end of next month.
Abutment Getting Higher
An abutment is a structure at the end of a bridge that absorbs lateral forces and moves traffic from ground level onto the clear-span portion of the bridge. Contractors are building the first of two abutments east of the railroad tracks in front of Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See below.
They started erecting walls last month. And now, they’re filling the area between them with layer after layer of stabilized sand and dirt.
Eastern abutment as of 4/15/26. Looking east.Reverse angle shows how dirt between the walls is being layered in and compacted. Side shot shows the work is already much taller than vehicles.
Drainage Ditch Widened
A drainage ditch (Ditch One) will take excess stormwater from Northpark and route it through a drainage ditch behind the businesses that line the north side of Northpark.
Ditch One has been widened and deepenedback to its original dimensions. It had not been cleaned out for approximately 18 years!Ditch One from ground level. Hydromulching will begin soon to protect the banks from erosion.
UPRR Crossing
Two surface turn lanes will flank each side of the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. Below, you can see the status of their completion.
Looking slightly E over the UPRR tracks.
On the north (l), pavement is complete up to the last two or three feet on each side of the tracks. On the south (r) pavement also stops short, but more work still needs to be done on the surface lanes themselves.
Keep in mind that after contractors complete paving, UPRR needs to install gates. And after that, a signal crew must make the temporary signals operational before the crossings become operational.
Loop 494
Loop 494 is virtually complete, but the Northpark intersection is not. This will be the focus of work in the near future.
Wider shot looking N along 494.From opposite direction, you can see how wide Loop 494 will be where it approaches Northpark.
Other News
In coming days, crews will also:
Complete patches of sidewalks skipped due to utility conflicts on the project
Backfilling medians in preparation for final sod and seed
Install permanent traffic signals at Russell-Palmer Road and Northpark (expected completion by mid-April)
Please pack your patience, especially at the Russell-Palmer Intersection. Kings Mill residents use the intersection to make a U-turn. The new traffic signals require significant underground work, a new traffic-signal control box, new signal poles, new conduit, new wiring and new programming.
Caution
Please note: Work will continue in the center median of Northpark in preparation to put traffic in its final configuration. There are and will be many obstructions and potential hazards in this area, including construction workers and vehicles.
DO NOT cross into the work zone. Make turns only from delineated cross over areas.
For More Information
Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website Northpark Overpass Project page. This includes a 3-week look-ahead schedule, plans, simulated videos of the completed project, and more.
