The Harris County Commissioners Court approved a State Award letter to allow the Harris County Flood Control District to begin work to construct a new public Flood Warning System Website. The new website will include enhanced functionality and viewing capabilities, updated and modernized graphics, and features that allow residents to sign up for specific information to be delivered via e-mail, text message, and automated calls. Additionally, critical mapping features such as channel status and near real time inundation mapping will be built in more prominent locations of the new website to maximize user interaction. The new website will take a more regional approach, allowing residents in nearby counties to easily view rainfall and water level information for their respective jurisdictions where available.
The grant approved for $1,751,961.35 (Federal $1,313,971.01 / Local $437,990.34) from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) will provide the necessary funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to build this new Flood Warning System Website that will allow residents to take action and help protect life and property.
“We want the people of Harris County to have access to critical information in a timely, accessible format that allows them to prepare and take necessary actions in flood situations or possible flood situations,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
HCFCD encourages county residents to bookmark the website URL (www.harriscountyfws.org), for simplified access to timely information during potential flooding events.
In addition to building a new website, the grant will fund an internal flood informational dashboard that will give HCFCD staff and selected partner agencies access to current and forecasted flooding conditions throughout the county. The dashboard will provide a common user interface that displays the county bayou and stream network and flood forecasted model data, such as future water levels and flooding extents.
“Our current Flood Warning System website is ten years old, and this grant will allow us the ability to provide the residents of Harris and surrounding counties a more modern and user friendly experience,” stated Jeff Lindner, Director of Hydraulic Operations and Meteorologist for the Flood Control District.
ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
The Harris County Flood Control District provides flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans and maintaining the infrastructure. To learn more about the Flood Control District, visit www.hcfcd.org.