Harris County, Texas Flood Control District Eligible For $10.5 Million For Flood Mitigation Project
Release Date: November 19, 2001
Release Number: R6-01-31
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms & Flooding
Houston, TX -- Grant money for the Harris County Flood Control District, Texas was approved today for a proposed project aimed at removing individuals and property from harm's way, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The flood mitigation project, entitled City of Houston Acquisition Project, approved under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will acquire and demolish approximately 314 substantially damaged structures at risk of future flooding. All acquired parcels will be converted to open space.
Funding is approved for $14,037,869 and will reduce the burden of emergency response and recovery and eliminate the potential for loss of life and property. Participation in the program by owners of the eligible property is on a strictly voluntary basis: Only those properties voluntarily offered for sale to the program will be considered for purchase. The requested federal cost share is $10,528,402 and comes from HMGP funds made available under the presidential disaster declaration of June 9, 2001 for severe flooding due to Tropical Storm Allison.
"These funds are a cost-effective measure aimed at reducing or eliminating future risks to human life and property due to natural hazards," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "Mitigation funds are designed to help break the cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage that has been typical with past disasters."
This is the second of two acquisition projects submitted by the Harris County Flood Control District, on behalf of the City of Houston. The first project was approved to acquire and demolish 147 damaged homes with a total project cost of $15.9 million, seventy-five percent of the cost will be provided by FEMA.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 10:36:39