AUSTIN, Texas — Texas now has its first-ever statewide flood plan.
The comprehensive statewide assessment analyzes flood risks and solutions in the Lone Star State. The Texas Water Development Board approved the plan earlier in mid-August.
The $54.4 billion plan looks at how the state and local entities can mitigate flood risks. It includes 4,600 proposed strategies, like building flood walls, improving storm drains and creating early warning systems for low-water crossings.
Texas Water Development Board Member L’oreal Stepney said on KVUE Midday that an estimated one in six Texans lives or works in a high-risk flood area. This plan aims to mitigate the problems that so many have experienced.
“We've all heard of the Wimberley floods. We've heard of Hurricane Harvey, and we all know of the destruction that those flood events did," Stepney said. "And so, focusing on floods is very, very important because of the impact it can have on life and property."
Stepney also said that 15 regional flood planning groups and 350 volunteers are working to figure out a way to implement each of the proposed strategies in their plans.
The state has already dedicated $600 million to 140 projects statewide.
The Texas Water Development Board said if the recommended solutions are implemented, it is estimated that more than 840,000 people and more than 214,000 buildings would be removed from the 100-year floodplain.
Going forward, the board will present the plan to state lawmakers, who can then help figure out where additional money can come from to help cities and counties implement the changes.
More information, including an interactive state flood plan viewer, can be found here.