The Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC) has allocated $60 million to Montgomery County. The money comes out of a $488 million of Harvey flood-mitigation funds previously allocated to HGAC by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The $60 million is the single largest allocation to any governmental entity in the region out of the $488 million pot.
50% Committed to LMI Areas
At least 50% of the money must go to low-to-moderate income (LMI) areas in Montgomery County. The GLO has determined that MoCo plans meet HUD rules and conditionally approved the allocation.
However, things could still change and Montgomery County has not yet received the money.
According to H-GAC, the conditionally approved preliminary method of distribution (a plan for whom gets how much) is still pending acceptance by eligible entities and is subject to change through a published re-allocation process. A complete list of eligible activities is available in the Texas General Land Office (GLO) guidelines for the Regional Mitigation Program – Council of Governments Method of Distribution (COG MODs). Depending on changes, another 30-day public comment period may necessary, according to the GLO.
Where, How MoCo Will Spend the Money
I reached out to the Montgomery County Judge’s office to see how MoCo hopes to spend the money. Jason Millsaps replied, “Montgomery County will attempt several projects with these funds as soon as final approval has been granted.”
Millsaps continued, “In East County, we will work to de-snag, de-silt and remove vegetation that hinders flow from the Peach Creek, Caney Creek, White Oak Creek, and East Fork of the San Jacinto River. We will do the same for Lake Creek and Stewart Creek in Central/North County, with additional bank armor going in for Stewart Creek near the River Plantation Subdivision.”
Peak flows in the San Jacinto Watershed during Hurricane Harvey
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/12/22
1778 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220712-Screen-Shot-2022-07-12-at-1.17.19-PM.jpg?fit=1200%2C729&ssl=17291200adminadmin2022-07-12 13:31:032022-07-12 13:46:36Montgomery County Allocated $60 Million in Harvey Mitigation Funds
At 2pm EDT on 7/11/22, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an update that shows an area of concern offshore that stretches from Galveston Bay to the Florida Panhandle. NHC currently gives it a 30% chance of developing into something more serious in the next five days (10% in two days).
Area of low pressure sitting offshore on Monday afternoon at around 2PM.
Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding Likely East of Houston
This broad trough of low pressure is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. According to NHC, gradual development within this area of concern is possible if it can remain offshore while it meanders near the Gulf coast through the end of the week.
Regardless of development, heavy rains will be possible along portions of the northern Gulf coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle over the next several days. For more information about the potential for heavy rain, see local National Weather Service forecasts and/or the Weather Prediction Center.
While the main danger from heavy rains currently lies to the east, global models are not yet unanimous in their forecasts. Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist says, “Global forecast models show some development of this trough into a closed area of low pressure mid- to late-week. Steering currents become very weak late week … with high pressure building into the Plains.” That will cause any tropical system over the northern Gulf to meander. Lindner added that the consensus among forecasters this morning kept any development well east of Houston.
Heat Records Fall Throughout Region
In the meantime, we could use a break from the blistering heat. Numerous records fell over the region yesterday.
College Station: 111 (exceeded July monthly record of 110 set in 1917)
BUSH IAH: 105 (exceeded daily record of 101 from 1998)
Hobby: 104 (exceeded daily record of 100 from 1964)
Galveston: 96 (tied daily record of 96 from 1931)
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/11/2022
1777 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/two_atl_5d0.png?fit=900%2C665&ssl=1665900adminadmin2022-07-11 14:27:462022-07-11 19:10:39Offshore Area of Concern
On 7/5/2022, demolition began on the first of three townhome complexes remaining on Marina Drive in Forest Cove. The complexes had been damaged beyond repair when 240,000 cubic feet per second of stormwater roared through them during Hurricane Harvey.
Since then, the abandoned properties had become magnets for drug dealing, arsonists, and illegal dumping. But the buyout process stalled when owners of some of the units could not be found. The county had to exercise its powers of eminent domain on those by declaring the purchase of several units a “public necessity.”
Now, with legalities out of the way, demolition began at 4:45 Tuesday afternoon. You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from Forest Cove residents. Removal of the eyesores will restore the community’s image while eliminating a public safety hazard.
Photos of Demolition
Here are some pictures taken between 7/5 and 7/9/22. All that’s left of the first complex is a shrinking pile of rubble, some twisted girders, and some driveway.
Beginning of Forest Cove Townhome Demolition on 7/5/22By end of second day, 7/6/2022, half of first complex was down, but most of rubble remained.By end of third day, 7/7/2022, entire first complex was down. Contractors compacted rubbleto make it easier to haul it away.They also separated girders from the rubble.This EPA article describes recycling opportunities for demolition waste.End of fourth day, 7/9/22. Most of waste was hauled away. Practically nothing remains of first building.Second complex in background will come down next week.Pile of twisted girders. Remnants of a once proud townhome complex and a laid-back river lifestyle.Next up for demo: the building in background.
Next Steps
The next steps:
Demolish building in photo above 7/14/22.
Schedule demo of third building as soon as last buyout is completed.
Kudos to Harris County Flood Control and its contractors. This is not easy work when the temperature soars into triple digits. Their efforts will make a huge difference to the community.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/10/2022
1776 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220707-DJI_0084.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-07-10 14:21:342022-07-12 16:31:17Forest Cove Townhomes: One Down, Two to Go
Montgomery County Allocated $60 Million in Harvey Mitigation Funds
The Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC) has allocated $60 million to Montgomery County. The money comes out of a $488 million of Harvey flood-mitigation funds previously allocated to HGAC by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The $60 million is the single largest allocation to any governmental entity in the region out of the $488 million pot.
50% Committed to LMI Areas
At least 50% of the money must go to low-to-moderate income (LMI) areas in Montgomery County. The GLO has determined that MoCo plans meet HUD rules and conditionally approved the allocation.
However, things could still change and Montgomery County has not yet received the money.
According to H-GAC, the conditionally approved preliminary method of distribution (a plan for whom gets how much) is still pending acceptance by eligible entities and is subject to change through a published re-allocation process. A complete list of eligible activities is available in the Texas General Land Office (GLO) guidelines for the Regional Mitigation Program – Council of Governments Method of Distribution (COG MODs). Depending on changes, another 30-day public comment period may necessary, according to the GLO.
Where, How MoCo Will Spend the Money
I reached out to the Montgomery County Judge’s office to see how MoCo hopes to spend the money. Jason Millsaps replied, “Montgomery County will attempt several projects with these funds as soon as final approval has been granted.”
Millsaps continued, “In East County, we will work to de-snag, de-silt and remove vegetation that hinders flow from the Peach Creek, Caney Creek, White Oak Creek, and East Fork of the San Jacinto River. We will do the same for Lake Creek and Stewart Creek in Central/North County, with additional bank armor going in for Stewart Creek near the River Plantation Subdivision.”
Those should reduce flooding in Montgomery County. This flood map shows the areas most affected by repeat flooding in the county.
And this map shows the location of each creek and how much floodwater each conveyed during Harvey.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/12/22
1778 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Offshore Area of Concern
At 2pm EDT on 7/11/22, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an update that shows an area of concern offshore that stretches from Galveston Bay to the Florida Panhandle. NHC currently gives it a 30% chance of developing into something more serious in the next five days (10% in two days).
Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding Likely East of Houston
This broad trough of low pressure is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. According to NHC, gradual development within this area of concern is possible if it can remain offshore while it meanders near the Gulf coast through the end of the week.
Regardless of development, heavy rains will be possible along portions of the northern Gulf coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle over the next several days. For more information about the potential for heavy rain, see local National Weather Service forecasts and/or the Weather Prediction Center.
While the main danger from heavy rains currently lies to the east, global models are not yet unanimous in their forecasts. Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist says, “Global forecast models show some development of this trough into a closed area of low pressure mid- to late-week. Steering currents become very weak late week … with high pressure building into the Plains.” That will cause any tropical system over the northern Gulf to meander. Lindner added that the consensus among forecasters this morning kept any development well east of Houston.
Heat Records Fall Throughout Region
In the meantime, we could use a break from the blistering heat. Numerous records fell over the region yesterday.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/11/2022
1777 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Forest Cove Townhomes: One Down, Two to Go
On 7/5/2022, demolition began on the first of three townhome complexes remaining on Marina Drive in Forest Cove. The complexes had been damaged beyond repair when 240,000 cubic feet per second of stormwater roared through them during Hurricane Harvey.
Since then, the abandoned properties had become magnets for drug dealing, arsonists, and illegal dumping. But the buyout process stalled when owners of some of the units could not be found. The county had to exercise its powers of eminent domain on those by declaring the purchase of several units a “public necessity.”
Now, with legalities out of the way, demolition began at 4:45 Tuesday afternoon. You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from Forest Cove residents. Removal of the eyesores will restore the community’s image while eliminating a public safety hazard.
Photos of Demolition
Here are some pictures taken between 7/5 and 7/9/22. All that’s left of the first complex is a shrinking pile of rubble, some twisted girders, and some driveway.
Next Steps
The next steps:
Kudos to Harris County Flood Control and its contractors. This is not easy work when the temperature soars into triple digits. Their efforts will make a huge difference to the community.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/10/2022
1776 Days since Hurricane Harvey