General

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is changing how flood insurance rates are calculated for your home and property. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is attempting to make flood insurance rates more equitable through an initiative called Risk Rating 2.0. FBCLID 2 is a FEMA-accredited levee system, so residents currently receive a “Preferred Rate” for flood insurance which typically costs less than $600 per year. The existing “Preferred Rate” will remain available through September, but on October 1, 2021 all new NFIP flood policies will be issued under the new pricing structure. Information provided by FEMA states that 23% of all policies will see an immediate decrease and 66% of policies will see a cost increase of less than $120 per year. As existing “Preferred Rate” policies expire, the cost will escalate up to 18% each year until the premium reaches the new Risk Rating 2.0 rate.

FEMA has not finalized how Risk Rating 2.0 will calculate new flood insurance rates for homes inside a levee like FBCLID 2. The District will continue to closely monitor all information released by FEMA and provide updates to the residents. FBCLID 2 is also working with Fort Bend County and the City of Sugar Land to monitor these upcoming flood insurance changes and how they will impact the community. FBCLID 2 encourages residents to check with your insurance carrier and discuss policy options for your property. For additional information check out www.FloodSmart.gov, the official website of the NFIP.

I live inside the FBCLID 2 levee. Should I buy flood insurance?

The answer is, Yes! Many property owners may be unaware that private home insurance policies do no cover losses caused by rising flood waters. The common example of rising flood waters in Fort Bend County is created by the Brazos River, but FBCLID 2 was created specially to mitigate that threat. However, very strong, localized rainfall in any part of FBCLID 2 can potentially overwhelm the design standards of the drainage system and trap water in streets and yards, eventually reaching into homes. The damaged caused by this type of loss is not included in a standard home insurance policy and would only be covered by purchasing a flood insurance policy that is supported by the NFIP.

While not a common occurrence, localized rainfall of 12+ inches in a day has occurred and will continue to occur across Southeast Texas. In recent memory, Hurricane Harvey dropped more than 30 inches of rain in Sugar Land and more than 50 inches in parts of Harris County. Looking further back, the 2016 Tax Day flood dropped more than a foot of rainfall in portions of Harris County, and in 2001 Tropical Storm Allison dropped 40 inches of precipitation on parts of Southeast Texas.

FBCLID 2 Third Pump Station
2602 Oakland Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Due to testing delays with the pump manufacturer, the Third Pump Station is now scheduled to be in operation by Summer 2021.  FBCLID 2 has been planning for over 3 years to complete the Third Pump Station by Spring 2021, but that date was finally delayed after the latest schedule update from the pump manufacturer.  The District purchased the seven stormwater pumps directly to expedite manufacturing and construction, and the pump order was approved two years ago in 2019.  All seven pumps are manufactured and currently stored at the testing facility, but the facility has experienced multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related issues.  Under a separate contract, construction of the pump station building that will house the pumps remains on schedule.  The building contractor is ready to receive the pumps as soon as testing is complete this Spring.  However, installation, wiring, and commissioning will not be complete until Summer 2021.

FBCLID 2 appreciates your patience as the District works to complete this critical flood control project.

Additional details are available at: www.fbclid2.com/third-pump-station-construction.

Please contact FBCLID 2 directly with any questions or concerns: www.fbclid2.com/contact.

The following is an update on the FBCLID 2 project to rehabilitate and improve drainage ditches and levees around the District.

Ditch A Widening Phase I – The contractor has completed most of the construction in the downstream segment of Ditch A, between the Little Pump Station and Sweetwater Blvd.  They are currently widening Ditch A upstream of Sweetwater Blvd, adjacent to the Colony Meadows neighborhood.  Ditch excavation in this segment is currently scheduled to be complete in March.  As the major excavation is wrapping up, final clean up and turf restoration will be finished in April.  At the end of March, construction will move further upstream beyond Ditches D and E, and excavation will shift to the southern bank of Ditch A, adjacent to the Woodstream Trail and neighborhood.  The haul route for dump trucks will move to the second upstream Sweetwater Blvd. bridge by the Sweetwater Country Club golf course.

East Levee Raising – The East Levee raising between Highway 6 and Commonwealth Blvd. was completed in January.  The contractor is currently restoring turf on the levee slopes.  When that is complete, they will perform a final grade on the levee top and finishing cleaning up the area.

South Levee Raising – Levee raising operations began on the South Levee in January, and the first segment between the West Levee and Elkins Road was complete in February. Similar to the South Levee, the contractor will now reestablish turf and complete final clean up.  The second segment between Elkins Road and Knightsbridge Blvd. is scheduled to be complete in May.

Ditch E Rehabilitation – The contractor has started grading the bottom of Ditch E and began installing the articulating concrete block armoring in January.  Construction in Ditch E will be complete during Summer 2021.

Ditch C Repairs – The contractor will completely reconstruct failing ditch slopes using better soil and install new armoring in the ditch bottom where the sloughing has caused damage.  Three areas of repair are planned in the upstream end of Ditch C and Ditch C-1.  However, work has been delayed and is currently scheduled to begin by May.

Ditch A Widening Phase II – Ditch A Widening Phase II is currently scheduled for bidding and construction as a separate project later this year.  Phase II will begin at the second, upstream Sweetwater Blvd. bridge that is adjacent to the golf course and continue to the upstream end of Ditch A, behind the Austin Park neighborhood.  Engineers have completed the flood control portion of the design to widen the drainage channel.  However, many trees and some golf course amenities conflict with this design and must be removed and/or relocated.  FBCLID 2 is still finalizing these design details and coordinating plans with Sweetwater Country Club.

The attached map highlights all project locations.  Please be aware of equipment and traffic when traveling through these construction zones.  FBCLID 2 can be contacted directly with any questions or concerns: www.fbclid2.com/contact.