Emergency Operations Update – Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The Brazos River is forecasted to crest at 43.6 feet at the Richmond Gage on Sunday, May 23.  At this elevation, the FBCLID 2 flood gates begin to close and drainage inside the levee is restricted.  The FBCLID 2 pump stations have been tested, and operators are on stand-by to run the pumps, if needed.  The forecast calls for 6 to 8 inches of rain within the District through Thursday, with isolated areas in the area potentially receiving as much as 10-12 inches.  However, most of the forecasted rain will have time to drain out of the levee before any pumping is required.  The latest forecast and information from the National Weather Service is included below.

For additional information on FBCLID 2 Emergency Operations: FBCLID2.com/emergency

  • Live graphic of levee operations
    • 24-hour rainfall total
    • Ditch water levels inside and outside the levee
    • Brazos River Forecast (if flood stages are predicted)
    • Pump Station operations
  • Rainfall & stream gauges
  • Live camera views with hourly updates
  • Links to City of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County Emergency Management

National Weather Service

Brazos River Gage at Richmond, Texas

Flood Insurance Rates Changes – NFIP Risk Rating 2.0

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.

Third Pump Station Construction Update – Completion Delayed: Summer 2021

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.

Third Pump Station – Stormwater Pump

Third Pump Station – Stormwater Pump