USACE Galveston District: Flood Risk Management Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District contributes to the safety, economic success and quality of life of local communities by reducing the risk for flooding along the Texas coast.

Flood risk management projects reduce flood water damage in Texas’ low-lying coastal areas, flood-prone river valleys and inland bayous that can quickly become raging torrents during heavy rains.

As part of the USACE Galveston District’s Flood Risk Management Program, the Corps works with federal, state and local partners, the public and decision makers to identify and assess flood hazards; improve public awareness and comprehension of flood hazards and risks; and improve capabilities to collaboratively deliver and sustain flood damage reduction and flood hazard mitigation services to the nation.

Q. What is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Flood Risk Management Program?

A. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Flood Risk Management Program (FRMP) was established in 2006 to provide current and accurate flood risk and floodplain information to the public and decision makers at the national, regional, state and local levels.

The program identifies and assesses flood hazards posed by all flood risk reduction infrastructures. Staff seeks to include aging flood risk reduction infrastructure; improve public awareness and understanding of flood-related hazards and risks; facilitate coordination of flood risk and flood hazard reduction programs and activities across local, state and regional watersheds with federal, state, local and tribal agencies by implementing a lifecycle system risk management strategy and improving capabilities to collaboratively deliver and sustain flood risk reduction and flood risk mitigation services to the nation.

Q. Who are the district’s partners in managing this program?

A. Effective and continuous collaboration between state and federal agencies is critical to successfully reducing the risk of flooding and other natural disasters in the United States and enhancing response and recovery efforts when such events do occur. The Corps continues to seek partnerships with federal agencies, state, tribal and local governments to assist in reducing flood damages and to promote sound flood risk reduction. Partnering with a variety of stakeholders maximizes available resources, authorities and various programs to address risk management issues, prioritize those issues and implement solutions.

The Silver Jackets Program, created as part of the FRMP as an innovative program, provides an opportunity to consistently bring together multiple state, federal and sometimes tribal and local agencies to learn from one another and apply shared knowledge to reduce risk.

Q. What are hurricane flood protection structures?

A. Hurricane flood protection structures are projects authorized by Congress to protect project areas against the potential storm surge and flooding damages due to hurricanes. The Galveston District has five hurricane flood protection projects including the Port Arthur Hurricane Flood Protection Project, Texas City Hurricane Flood Protection Project, Freeport Hurricane Flood Protection Project, Lynchburg Pump Station Hurricane Flood Protection Project and the Matagorda Flood Protection Levee.

Q. What are the maintenance requirements of these structures?

A. Each of these five hurricane flood protection projects are maintained and operated by their respective local sponsors. The Corps inspects each of the systems regularly to ensure the local sponsors are maintaining the systems in accordance with current regulations. Damages due to Hurricane Ike have all been repaired and the projects restored to pre-Ike conditions.

Q. What is the significance of these structures to local communities, the state and nation?

A. Four of the five hurricane flood protection projects protect a large portion of the nation’s petrochemical industry refining capacity and other critical infrastructure. The district’s hurricane flood protection projects protect over $20 billion in property.

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Press Release, June 7, 2013