Emergency Operations Update for Tropical Storm Francine – Monday, September 9, 2024, 4:00 PM

Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 15 (LID 15) is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico. Francine is expected to become a hurricane when it reaches the northwestern Gulf coast on Wednesday, September 11. However, the probable path does not include LID 15 and there is a low probability of tropical storm force winds. The Brazos River is also at a low level that does not impact drainage inside the LID 15 levee.  Based on the current forecast, the District does not anticipate that the pump stations will be operated, but operators are on stand-by if the forecast changes.

During any heavy rain event there may be street ponding or flooding if the storm drains are overwhelmed and back up.  As rainfall decreases, the storm sewers will catch up, and any water in the streets will recede.  Never drive into high water.

National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service

Hurricane Beryl Tree and Storm Debris Removal

Hurricane Beryl caused extensive tree damage throughout Riverstone, including the LID 15 levees and drainage channels. LID 15 has removed the highest priority tree debris from homes and other structures. An additional round of tree removal will be scheduled in September to address trees on fences and other hazards. However, the majority of Beryl storm debris removal from LID 15 property has been delayed due to changes in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations. The City of Sugar Land and their debris removal contractor are not able to provide the services LID 15 needs, and the Interlocal Agreement no longer meets FEMA reimbursement requirements.

To address the significant amount of storm damage, LID 15 will start an emergency bidding process in September. The District must hire its own contractor to complete Hurricane Beryl storm debris removal. In order for LID 15 to remain eligible for 75% FEMA reimbursement, the formal bidding process will take several weeks to complete before a contract is awarded.

While LID 15 will remove all eligible storm debris, residents are reminded that any damage to private property caused by downed trees or limbs remains the responsibility of the property owner. Additional information on LID 15’s Tree Maintenance and Removal Policy is available on line through the District website: www.fblid15.com.

Hurricane Beryl Tree and Storm Debris Removal

In July, Hurricane Beryl caused extensive tree damage throughout Riverstone, including numerous issues on LID 15 property. The District levees and drainage channels impacted by Beryl are highlighted on the map below. LID 15 has an existing interlocal agreement with the City of Sugar Land to remove all storm damaged trees from District property. The City’s storm debris contractor will mobilize in the highlighted areas in the next few weeks and another public update will be posted when the schedule is confirmed.

The Interlocal Agreement with the City of Sugar Land provides a great value to LID 15 residents because the City follows an extensive procurement process that meets all FEMA reimbursement requirements. 75% of the cost for storm debris removal will be reimbursed by FEMA, and LID 15 will only pay 25% of the total cost. This approach to storm debris cleanup will ultimately save LID 15 and our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While LID 15 and the City contractor will remove all eligible storm debris, residents are reminded that any damage to private property caused by downed trees or limbs remains the responsibility of the property owner. Additional information on LID 15’s Tree Maintenance and Removal Policy is available on line through the District website: www.fblid15.com.