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- H2O conducts Hazard Mitigation Update Kickoff for the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition
- H2O Partners is assisting the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition (TCRFC) in the development of a multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update that will address all natural hazards that could potentially affect communities that previously were not included in the 2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan, "Creating a Disaster Resistant Lower Colorado River Basin." Further, the TCRFC is conducting an update of the 2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan to revise mitigation actions and risk assessments for communities in the TCRFC who wish to participate in this effort. The update will be an opportunity to evaluate successful mitigation actions and to explore other means of avoiding future disaster loss. In order to develop this update, H2O is requesting that community officials fill out a capability assessment survey as well as distribute a public participation survey. Both surveys may be submitted to Pam Hawkins of H2O Partners by: mail, P.O. Box 160130, Austin, TX 78716; fax, (512) 329-6612; or email, pam@h2opartnersusa.com
- H2O Partners Completes Cross-Border Initiative with the "Cover the Texas-Mexico Border" Hazard Mitigation Plan
- H2O Partners, Inc., in partnership with Texas A&M International University and the Rio Grande Institute, has completed a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan for fourteen counties in the Rio Grande border region of Texas. They include: Starr, Jim Hogg, Webb, Duval, Brooks, McMullen, Terrell, Pecos, Reeves, Cameron, Hidalgo, Wilacy, Zapata and Kenedy Counties. On July 3, 2007, the draft plan was submitted to the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.
- This Rio Grande region is at high and growing risk of disaster - both natural and man-made - and from events on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. The problem of protecting lives and property in the Rio Grande basin has become more critical as weather patterns change, population grows rapidly, hazardous materials proliferate, and as new man-made threats such as terrorism emerge. The proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border poses unique risks in terms of hazards and the potential need to accommodate an influx of large numbers of people in an emergency situation.
- The plan points out the critical need for action now to avoid catastrophic damage. The Region's most basic flood control infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. In November, 2006, the US International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) reported that it had "determined that all levees in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties [are] non-certifiable due to US IBWC's inability to provide continuous structural integrity [and] the absence of an officially adopted Operations and Maintenance Plan, and hydraulically deficient reaches2." Dam safety, especially at Falcon Dam and perhaps at a number of reservoirs in Mexico, needs to be addressed. And, as demonstrated by chronic flooding in virtually all the Rio Grande border cities, most recently in El Paso, storm drainage systems need to be installed or improved to control threats from flood waters.
- The U.S. - Mexico border poses special problems partly because local US governments have limited authority to mitigate hazards. Rio Grande cities and counties also often don't even know the dimensions or location of the risks originating in the neighboring Mexican cities. Hazardous material stored in Mexican plants or transported across the border in North American Free Trade Agreement-inspired trade may pose a dire threat to health and safety. In addition, flood waters have historically posed serious problems as evidenced by the massive cross-border evacuation following Hurricane Beulah.
- Great strides are being made in regional cooperation and development of a region-wide program of preparedness and response. However, a major flood or toxic release with trans-boundary impact could overwhelm the disaster management capacity of some local governments. With the river managed by both the US and Mexico, with jurisdiction spread across local, state and federal agencies, cooperation on planning and response will require extraordinary effort. Disasters ignore international boundaries, but people are required to respect borders. Along the Rio Grande border, there is a critical need to create and sustain a structure for cooperation for disaster management that can plan, communicate and respond to meet the challenges faced.
- The recent experience of Hurricane Katrina points toward the need to prepare now to prevent another catastrophe. As decisions are made over the coming years about where and how to build, Rio Grande border cities and counties are committed to taking action to build safer, stronger and more robust communities.
- The Plan is intended to take a new and more comprehensive look at risks in the 21st Century and actions needed to address those risks.
- H2O continues to help communities receive funding for mitigation work
- H2O Partners, Inc. is currently drafting planning grant applications for both the Brazos River Authority and The Texas Colorado Floodplain Coalition
- The Brazos River Authority is requesting Planning Funds under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to develop a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Action Plan for a range of natural and man-caused hazards that may threaten the critical facilities and infrastructure of the Brazos River Authority. These critical facilities and infrastructure include three dams, one water treatment plant, and BRA headquarters. BRA is not currently covered by a hazard mitigation plan.
- The Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition is requesting planning funds under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to develop new hazard mitigation plans for 42 communities representing a population of over 331,000 people as part of a basin-wide planning effort. These communities are not currently covered by a hazard mitigation plan but are at high risk from a range of natural and man-caused disasters.
- H2O is also helping Burnet County to obtain funding in order to elevate a low water crossing
- The purpose of this engagement is to help Burnet County recovery quickly and fully from the record flooding which resulted in Presidential Disaster Declaration DR-1709 and ensure that the County receives the maximum amount of Federal and State assistance requested under the Declaration.
- H2O will provide grant writing and management services to assist the County with development of applications for a range of Federal and State disaster recovery programs. These grant programs may include, but are not limited to, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants, Office of Rural and Community Affairs State Disaster Grants, Public Assistance, and FEMA Repetitive Loss program grants.
- H2O Partners continues Public Assistance work in Mississippi
- H2O Partners analyzes subgrantee documentation for Public Assistance work in the State of Mississippi.
- This includes reviewing and verification of applicants labor, equipment and materials; responsible for the review of contracts and contractors invoices for accurate billing.
- We also prepare payment packages that are submitted to the state to enable applicant to receive funding, and handle any unresolved issues so that Project Worksheets can be closed out.
- H2O will soon launch PA Tools
- H2O Partners, Inc. has developed PAtoolsUSATM, a website devoted to assisting Public Assistance Grantees and Subgrantees maximize time and efforts in fulfilling the Stafford Act PA Grant requirements.
- This website will be utilized to help applicants obtain disaster relief funds from governmental agencies including FEMA for the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public facilities or infrastructure damaged or destroyed by a disaster.
- Continue to check back with us for a launch date.
- CAVs finished for 2007
- H2O completed Community Assistance Visits for the following NFIP Communities in Texas:
- Bellaire
- Bunker Hill
- Hilshire Village
- Jacinto City
- Katy
- Seabrook
- Bay City
- Palacios
- Conroe
- El Campo
- Friendswood
- Tomball
- Texas City
- Port Isabel
- Port Neches
- Sugar Land
- Kyle
- Beeville
- Hallettsville
- Edna
- Gonzales
- Columbus
- Development of Revised Floodplain Management Regulations for Travis County
- H2O Partners, Inc. prepared an application on behalf of Travis County, Texas to join the Community Rating System and thus reduce flood insurance premium rates for their residents.
- The National Flood Insurance Program offers reasonably priced flood insurance in communities that comply with minimum standards for floodplain management. The National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System recognizes community efforts beyond FEMA's minimum floodplain management standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community's property owners. CRS discounts on flood insurance premiums range from 5% to 45%. To get credit, community officials must prepare an application documenting their floodplain management efforts.
- H2O Partners, Inc. identified and documented current Travis County floodplain management activities in the area of permitting, flood determinations, subdivision reviews, buy-outs, etc.; conducted a Community Assistance Visit; and drafted and finalized a Community Rating System application.
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