5/30/26 – According to Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) latest spreadsheet posted online, 19 of 29 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects will miss their deadlines. And those projects are valued at $649 million according to the General Land Office, which manages U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants in Texas.
Two Categories of Grants, Each with Different Deadlines
HUD’s CDBG grants fall into two categories: Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). All DR projects have a deadline of 2/28/2027. And MIT projects have a deadline of 3/31/28.
Members of Harris County Commissioners Court have become increasingly concerned lately about the possibility of missing deadlines and losing HUD matching grants for a large portion of projects going into construction.
In response to those concerns, Commissioners Court led by Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey P.E. began demanding hard data instead of vague, but rosy assurances from Dr. Tina Petersen, head of HCFCD.
Petersen submitted one spreadsheet on 5/1/2026 showing project status and another on 5/18/2026 with slightly updated data. Each spreadsheet is massive with minuscule type. They are virtually unreadable on anything but a desktop computer with very large screen(s).
To simplify things for this post, I focused on two questions:
How many projects will make their deadlines?
What is the value of the projects that will and won’t make their deadlines?
Everyone has focused on DR projects because of their deadline now just 9 months away. However, MIT projects also are in danger.
The potential loss of a quarter billion dollars in DR funding is staggering. But the potential loss of another third of a billion dollars in MIT funding is devastating.
Another thing jumped out at me from this data. While almost half the DR projects could make their deadline, the value of those projects is less than one fourth of the total. HCFCD must be rushing to get smaller jobs into production at the expense of larger jobs.
Every Precinct Affected, LMI Areas the Most
These projects affect every precinct in the county. And they affect low-to-moderate income areas the most. Sixty-two percent (62%) of the beneficiaries of these projects qualify as LMI (Low-to-Moderate Income).
How Dire are Deadlines?
Does missing the deadline automatically disqualify a project from reimbursement? Not necessarily. GLO has said that deadline extensions depend on how close a job is to completion.
If it’s 95% done and it could be finished within a month after the deadline, that’s probably NOT a problem.
But if it’s only 5% done and requires another year, that IS a problem. The GLO simply doesn’t have that much time to give away.
In fairness, the MIT projects are a little more complicated to track than DR projects. Half of that money must be spent by 3/31/28. But the last table above suggests that only about a third of the MIT projects will be complete by then. And that assumes the projects stay on track.
Last night ABC13 ran a 3-minute segment with investigative reporter Nick Natario interviewing Dr. Petersen about her job security. She repeatedly dodged his questions, saying, “I’m here to focus on projects and project delivery.”
Petersen’s candor should make the next Commissioners Court meeting interesting. Last month, Judge Lina Hidalgo said bluntly to Petersen, “I just lost my confidence in you.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/30/26and updated on 5/31 to correct dates in two pie charts
3196 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/2026/05/CDBG-MIT-DEADLINES.png?fit=1918%2C1132&ssl=111321918adminadmin2026-05-30 16:25:342026-05-31 11:48:40HCFCD Estimates 19 CDBG Projects Worth $649 Million Will Miss Deadlines
5/28/27 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is sponsoring a series of virtual information sessions about the recently released draft floodplain maps for Harris County.
If you’ve wondered what the updated draft maps show for your home or neighborhood, these sessions will help you understand where to look and how to interpret what you find.
New Draft Flood Map for Lake Houston Area
What Sessions Will Cover and When
The sessions will cover:
What floodplain maps are and why they’re being updated
What’s changing in the new draft maps that FEMA is now reviewing
HCFCD designed these sessions for the general public. You need no prior knowledge. Whether you own a home, rent, run a business, or simply want to learn more about flood risk, these sessions represent a quick, easy way to learn more.
If you are unable to attend, materials and resources will be made available after the meeting.
Approval Stages
The maps will go through several stages before they become the effective regulatory maps.
Draft – (Where we are now) Draft maps are shared with FEMA, local jurisdictions and technical partners to identify issues or mapping discrepancies. Draft maps are provided for awareness only and are not open for formal comments or appeals.
Preliminary (Public Review) – Proposed maps for public input Once FEMA releases the maps for public review, residents can submit comments and formal appeals. During this period, the maps are still not yet effective for regulatory or insurance use.
Final (Effective) – Official regulatory maps After the review and protest process, FEMA incorporates all approved changes. Then it issues the final, effective maps. These become the official versions used for insurance, permitting, and development.
The entire process may take several more years. The purpose of releasing draft maps is to help you better understand your flood risk.
Looking south toward downtown along US59 across Beltway 8.
That means a lot more impervious cover. Much more runoff. And faster, higher flood peaks. During Hurricane Harvey, of the 154,170 homes that flooded in Harris County alone, 105,340 or 68% were outside the 1% (100-yr) floodplain. So, you can easily see why the maps needed updating.
The time to learn about them is now. Hurricane season starts in days. But it’s still not too late to buy flood insurance.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/New-Draft-Flood-Map-of-Humble-KW.jpg?fit=1100%2C717&ssl=17171100adminadmin2026-05-28 19:27:362026-05-28 19:42:19How to Understand New Draft Floodplain Maps
5/27/26 – Based on sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), weather forecasters are already talking about the possibility of an early season tropical storm in the Gulf.NOAA’s SST Anomalies page shows that as of yesterday, Gulf water temps were already well above normal and near record highs set in 2024.
Such SSTs help form tropical systems by warming the air and making it rise. Hurricane forecasters note that a significant lack of hurricane activity in 2025 left the region with an abundance of hot water that was not “churned up” or cooled by major storms.
Although NOAA predicts a below-normal Atlantic season with eight to 14 named storms, the near-record heat in the Gulf—averaging 2.5 degrees warmer than normal—remains a significant “wild card” for storm intensity.
Conflicting Trends
The other major factor influencing tropical forecasts this year is the growing El Niño.
El Niño tends to suppress tropical storm formation in the Atlantic by creating wind sheer that tears apart tropical storms before they intensify.
Matthew Rosencrans of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center told USA Today that El Niño has the biggest impacts on Atlantic hurricanes that form deep in the tropics. But in the Gulf, there may be more favorable pockets for storms to form.
Three of the four storms above happened during El Niño years.
1983 was a major El Niño year – one of the strongest of the 20th century. Forecasters considered it unprecedented at the time.
1972 was one of the more significant 20th-century El Niño events prior to the very large 1982–83 event.
An El Niño that developed in 1991 persisted through much of 1992.
2001 had neutral conditions. El Niño did not develop until 2002.
Don’t Underestimate Potential for Rapid Intensification
Just hours ago, AccuWeather warned that sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are already running near the threshold for tropical development.
And according to Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, people often think hurricanes will give them more lead time than they actually do. But that’s not usually true. Graham told USA Today. “Every Category 5 that’s made landfall in this country was a tropical storm or less at three days out.”
For hurricane preparation tips, consult the Preparation Tab on my Links Page. Hurricane season officially starts in five more days. Also…
Save the Date: Flickinger to Host Preparedness Open House
On Thursday, June 4, from 5-6:30 PM, Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger will host an open house at Kingwood Community Center (4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood TX 77345) with:
Houston Office of Emergency Management
CenterPoint Energy
Comcast
xfinity
UnionPacific
Trees for Houston
According to the Council Member, the event will feature practical safety information about resources designed to help you, your family and your neighborhood prepare with confidence, such as:
Safe vegetation practices and the Right Tree, Right Place approach
When and why to call 811 before you dig
How to stay safe around railways and utility equipment
Hurricane preparedness tips and local resources
Flickinger said, “Ask questions, explore helpful information and share what matters most in your neighborhood so we can better support the community we serve.”
One of the first things people often lose in Kingwood is power when trees fall against overhead lines. And with the loss of power comes loss of communication. So it’s important to have a plan before that happens.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/27/2026
3193 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ct5km_ssta_v3.1_caribbean_current.png?fit=1655%2C1007&ssl=110071655adminadmin2026-05-27 19:31:562026-05-27 19:36:09Gulf Water Temps Near Record Highs with Hurricane Season Just Days Away
HCFCD Estimates 19 CDBG Projects Worth $649 Million Will Miss Deadlines
5/30/26 – According to Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) latest spreadsheet posted online, 19 of 29 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects will miss their deadlines. And those projects are valued at $649 million according to the General Land Office, which manages U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants in Texas.
Two Categories of Grants, Each with Different Deadlines
HUD’s CDBG grants fall into two categories: Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). All DR projects have a deadline of 2/28/2027. And MIT projects have a deadline of 3/31/28.
Here is a series of one-page summaries of each of the DR projects.
Members of Harris County Commissioners Court have become increasingly concerned lately about the possibility of missing deadlines and losing HUD matching grants for a large portion of projects going into construction.
In response to those concerns, Commissioners Court led by Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey P.E. began demanding hard data instead of vague, but rosy assurances from Dr. Tina Petersen, head of HCFCD.
Petersen submitted one spreadsheet on 5/1/2026 showing project status and another on 5/18/2026 with slightly updated data. Each spreadsheet is massive with minuscule type. They are virtually unreadable on anything but a desktop computer with very large screen(s).
To simplify things for this post, I focused on two questions:
Findings
Here’s what I found. Of…
And of…
In tabular form, it looks like this:
Everyone has focused on DR projects because of their deadline now just 9 months away. However, MIT projects also are in danger.
The potential loss of a quarter billion dollars in DR funding is staggering. But the potential loss of another third of a billion dollars in MIT funding is devastating.
Another thing jumped out at me from this data. While almost half the DR projects could make their deadline, the value of those projects is less than one fourth of the total. HCFCD must be rushing to get smaller jobs into production at the expense of larger jobs.
Every Precinct Affected, LMI Areas the Most
These projects affect every precinct in the county. And they affect low-to-moderate income areas the most. Sixty-two percent (62%) of the beneficiaries of these projects qualify as LMI (Low-to-Moderate Income).
How Dire are Deadlines?
Does missing the deadline automatically disqualify a project from reimbursement? Not necessarily. GLO has said that deadline extensions depend on how close a job is to completion.
If it’s 95% done and it could be finished within a month after the deadline, that’s probably NOT a problem.
But if it’s only 5% done and requires another year, that IS a problem. The GLO simply doesn’t have that much time to give away.
In fairness, the MIT projects are a little more complicated to track than DR projects. Half of that money must be spent by 3/31/28. But the last table above suggests that only about a third of the MIT projects will be complete by then. And that assumes the projects stay on track.
Last night ABC13 ran a 3-minute segment with investigative reporter Nick Natario interviewing Dr. Petersen about her job security. She repeatedly dodged his questions, saying, “I’m here to focus on projects and project delivery.”
Petersen’s candor should make the next Commissioners Court meeting interesting. Last month, Judge Lina Hidalgo said bluntly to Petersen, “I just lost my confidence in you.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/30/26 and updated on 5/31 to correct dates in two pie charts
3196 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.
How to Understand New Draft Floodplain Maps
5/28/27 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is sponsoring a series of virtual information sessions about the recently released draft floodplain maps for Harris County.
If you’ve wondered what the updated draft maps show for your home or neighborhood, these sessions will help you understand where to look and how to interpret what you find.
What Sessions Will Cover and When
The sessions will cover:
It’s important to note at this time that these are draft maps and do not yet have regulatory or insurance impacts.
Four more sessions remain:
May 29, 2026
12:00 PM
Click to Register
June 8, 2026
12:00 PM
Click to Register
June 23, 2026
4:30 PM
Click to Register
July 1, 2026
12:00 PM
Click to Register
For General Public
HCFCD designed these sessions for the general public. You need no prior knowledge. Whether you own a home, rent, run a business, or simply want to learn more about flood risk, these sessions represent a quick, easy way to learn more.
If you are unable to attend, materials and resources will be made available after the meeting.
Approval Stages
The maps will go through several stages before they become the effective regulatory maps.
Draft – (Where we are now)
Draft maps are shared with FEMA, local jurisdictions and technical partners to identify issues or mapping discrepancies. Draft maps are provided for awareness only and are not open for formal comments or appeals.
Preliminary (Public Review) – Proposed maps for public input
Once FEMA releases the maps for public review, residents can submit comments and formal appeals. During this period, the maps are still not yet effective for regulatory or insurance use.
Final (Effective) – Official regulatory maps
After the review and protest process, FEMA incorporates all approved changes. Then it issues the final, effective maps. These become the official versions used for insurance, permitting, and development.
The entire process may take several more years. The purpose of releasing draft maps is to help you better understand your flood risk.
Why Maps Needed Updating
The old maps developed after Tropical Storm Allison show significantly less risk. Since 2000, the Houston area’s population has grown 68%. The region is now approaching 8 million residents and is one of the fastest-growing major metros in America.
That means a lot more impervious cover. Much more runoff. And faster, higher flood peaks. During Hurricane Harvey, of the 154,170 homes that flooded in Harris County alone, 105,340 or 68% were outside the 1% (100-yr) floodplain. So, you can easily see why the maps needed updating.
The time to learn about them is now. Hurricane season starts in days. But it’s still not too late to buy flood insurance.
Learn more about this new map program at www.hcfcd.org/MAAPnext.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/28/26
3194 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Gulf Water Temps Near Record Highs with Hurricane Season Just Days Away
5/27/26 – Based on sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), weather forecasters are already talking about the possibility of an early season tropical storm in the Gulf. NOAA’s SST Anomalies page shows that as of yesterday, Gulf water temps were already well above normal and near record highs set in 2024.
Such SSTs help form tropical systems by warming the air and making it rise. Hurricane forecasters note that a significant lack of hurricane activity in 2025 left the region with an abundance of hot water that was not “churned up” or cooled by major storms.
Although NOAA predicts a below-normal Atlantic season with eight to 14 named storms, the near-record heat in the Gulf—averaging 2.5 degrees warmer than normal—remains a significant “wild card” for storm intensity.
Conflicting Trends
The other major factor influencing tropical forecasts this year is the growing El Niño.
El Niño tends to suppress tropical storm formation in the Atlantic by creating wind sheer that tears apart tropical storms before they intensify.
However…
Consider these “A” storms:
A story by Dinah Voyles Pulvery in today’s USA Today titled “Hurricane forecasters fear supercharged, early-season storms in 2026″ contained almost two dozen terrifying pictures from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
Matthew Rosencrans of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center told USA Today that El Niño has the biggest impacts on Atlantic hurricanes that form deep in the tropics. But in the Gulf, there may be more favorable pockets for storms to form.
Three of the four storms above happened during El Niño years.
2001 had neutral conditions. El Niño did not develop until 2002.
Don’t Underestimate Potential for Rapid Intensification
Just hours ago, AccuWeather warned that sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are already running near the threshold for tropical development.
And according to Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, people often think hurricanes will give them more lead time than they actually do. But that’s not usually true. Graham told USA Today. “Every Category 5 that’s made landfall in this country was a tropical storm or less at three days out.”
For hurricane preparation tips, consult the Preparation Tab on my Links Page. Hurricane season officially starts in five more days. Also…
Save the Date: Flickinger to Host Preparedness Open House
On Thursday, June 4, from 5-6:30 PM, Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger will host an open house at Kingwood Community Center (4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood TX 77345) with:
According to the Council Member, the event will feature practical safety information about resources designed to help you, your family and your neighborhood prepare with confidence, such as:
Flickinger said, “Ask questions, explore helpful information and share what matters most in your neighborhood so we can better support the community we serve.”
One of the first things people often lose in Kingwood is power when trees fall against overhead lines. And with the loss of power comes loss of communication. So it’s important to have a plan before that happens.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/27/2026
3193 Days since Hurricane Harvey