Early voting started on flood bond issue

Judge Ed Emmett speaking at the Rotary Club of Houston last week.
Judge Ed Emmett speaking at the Rotary Club of Houston last week.

HARRIS COUNTY – Voters will have a chance to decide to spend $2.5 billion dollars to help alleviate flooding, according to County Judge Ed Emmett.

The measure includes a list of 150 potential projects that will be paid for by the bond money, some of it to repair flood damage and some to mitigate future flood risks.

Judge Emmett said “People realize this is our chance to say we are really serious about flood-control, mitigation and resilience.”

Emmett continued “If this bond passes, it will not only show we are serious, it will actually provide $700 to $900 million that will be matched by the federal government.”

The funding includes $1.2 billion for drainage improvements, $12.5 million for new floodplain mapping, and $1.25 million for an improved early warning system. The money will be spent over a 10 to 15 year period.

Election Day is August 25, the one year anniversary of the time Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast and brought devastating flooding to the Houston region. Voting at your precinct will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting has already started, with the following times:

Aug. 15-18, 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

Aug. 19, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Aug. 20-21, 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

Voters can cast their votes early at any early voting location in Harris County. You should bring a photo ID with you to vote.

Early Voting Locations in this area include:

Crosby Branch Library, 135 Hare Road, Crosby;

Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood;

Lone Star College, Atascocita, 15903 West Lake Houston Parkway, Houston;

North Channel Branch Library, 15741 Wallisville Road, Houston;

Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market Street, Baytown.

Others include:

Galena Park Library, 1500 Keene Street, Galena Park;

Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding Street, Building #4, Houston;

Hardy Senior Center, 11901 West Hardy Road, Houston.

In addition, you can vote downtown at the Harris County Law Library, Conference Center, 1019 Congress Avenue, Houston;

Moody Park Community Center, 3725 Fulton Street, Houston;

Kashmere Multi Service Center, 4801 Lockwood Drive, Houston;

Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Boulevard, Houston.