Washington, D.C. – Congressman Al Green (TX-09) today voiced his concern over flooding in the wake of Monday’s storm.  The storm, which at times rivaled the intensity of Tropical Storm Allison, flooded at least 265 homes in Harris County with two inches to two feet of water.  It was due to this concern that Green requested and helped secure funding in both the Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007 appropriations bills in Congress for projects to increase flood protection at the Sims Bayou and Brays Bayou.  He also announced the allocation of a $6 million grant to the Harris County Flood Control District awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“While the improvements to the flood control system that were put in place after Tropical Storm Allison seemed to have functioned very well during Monday’s storm, there is still much more work to be done to increase the capacity of the city’s stormwater systems and to finish the bayou projects,” Green said.  “In some neighborhoods, the intensity of the rainfall overwhelmed the drainage systems.  It is important that we continue our efforts to protect our residents and neighborhoods and ensure as little flooding as possible.”

Green helped secure $18 million for improvements to the Sims Bayou in the final Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations bill, and $11.8 billion for improvements to the Brays Bayou.  In the Fiscal Year 2007 House version of the appropriations bill, Green helped secure an additional $22.4 million for the Sims Bayou federal flood control project and $23 million for the Brays Bayou project.  The Sims Bayou project increases flood protection to 1 percent level and includes environmental mitigation and quality features.  To date, over half of the channel improvements have been completed.  The Brays Bayou project includes 3.7 miles of channel improvement, the construction of three flood detention basins, and 7 miles of stream diversion to the Sims Bayou Watershed.

“The completion of the bayou projects is of utmost importance to our flood control efforts in Houston, and securing the necessary funding for these projects is a major priority of mine and many of my colleagues in Congress,” Green said.

Green also announced the recent award of a $6 million grant to the Harris County Flood Control District by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The funds will enable the Harris County Flood Control District to acquire and demolish approximately 80 structures located in the 100-year floodplain, which has experienced repeated damage from flooding.  The project will eliminate the potential for future flood losses by ensuring the property will remain open space.  The grant is being awarded in association with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.