Regional flood planning team urges Polk County to map projects for chance at state flood mitigation funds

A consultant team supporting the regional flood planning group told Polk County Commissioners that projects must be included in the regional and state flood plans to be eligible for funding from the Texas Flood Infrastructure Fund and related programs.

Cheryl of Trailer and Associates, addressing the court, outlined the regional flood planning group structure (15 watershed-based groups across Texas), noted that the 2024 state flood plan consolidates regional inputs and that the county must submit project locations and studies early because the 2028 plan will not accept later amendments. She said two rounds of applications have released approximately $1.3 billion in project funding statewide for studies and mitigation projects and that projects listed in the plan (including studies and mitigation strategies such as alerting systems and low-water crossing signage) are eligible for those funds.

Cheryl demonstrated the public mapping/survey tool (a QR code and link were provided) and asked local officials to drop pins on the map to show flood-prone locations and to describe causes (upstream, heavy rains, tidal frequency). She and staff said they had already emailed some links to court members and offered to walk commissioners and staff through the tool; commissioners discussed coordinating submissions with cities and water districts to avoid duplication or missing jurisdictional responsibilities. Staff suggested consolidating input through emergency management and volunteer fire departments to ensure comprehensive coverage. The presenter emphasized that small rural communities are eligible and urged the county to identify both small and large projects for inclusion.

Next steps: commissioners asked the presenter and staff to distribute the mapping link and help coordinate submissions; no vote was required. Trailer and Associates offered assistance to walk staff through project mapping where needed.