HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — It’s been almost exactly one year since Harris County voters narrowly approved a tax increase to pay for flood maintenance.
Last year, commissioners estimated it would cost the average homeowner about $60 every year, depending on home values.
Belia Fredenberg has lived next to Little Cypress Creek for 29 years.
“I’ve seen it where it overflows from the back to the front because there’s no more space out here,” she said.
Maintenance crews are now working to shore up the creek by connecting it to a ditch.
“If it was left unchecked and kept moving upstream, it would erode out and start eroding into some of these homes, backyards, and infrastructure,” Jason Krahn, the Harris County Flood District’s chief infrastructure and operations officer, said.
The maintenance program is just one part of a bigger effort to keep our area above water.
In 2018, voters approved a $2.5 billion bond to build new infrastructure to prevent flooding.
The district’s director reported this summer that the county is having to pause or cancel multiple large projects because of a $1.3 billion shortfall.
That means many Harris County residents won’t be getting what they were promised when they voted on the bond.
Meanwhile, the maintenance program continues, with 50 major maintenance projects and 124 infrastructure repair projects scheduled for next year, including at Addicks and Barker reservoirs.
“Things can happen in a flash right here on the Gulf Coast,” Krahn said. “Something might seem innocent at first, but next thing you know, ‘Bam, we’re hit with a heavy event.'”
In September, ABC13 reported county commissioners had approved creating 54 new positions for the maintenance program.
At the time, only 22 had been filled. Flood district officials couldn’t give ABC13 the exact numbers, but say some of those positions are still unfilled, even after multiple job fairs.
For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook,X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
