One Creek West Urges Residents to Attend Critical Regional Flood Planning Meeting February 24
One Creek West, the nonprofit coalition representing 30 neighborhoods across West Houston, is calling on residents to make their voices heard at a public open house hosted by the San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (RFPG) on Saturday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Fry Road MUD facility, located at 20111 Saums Road, Katy, TX 77449.
This in-person event offers residents a direct opportunity to contribute to the 2028 San Jacinto Regional Flood Plan, a document that will determine how billions in flood mitigation funding are prioritized and distributed over the coming years.
A Crucial Meeting for One Creek West Neighborhoods
With much of the One Creek West area lying within the Addicks Watershed, and with South Mayde Creek acting as a main tributary, this public meeting is especially relevant to local residents who experienced flooding during Hurricane Harvey or more recent rain events.
The invitation from the San Jacinto RFPG emphasizes the importance of public input:
“We will have draft existing condition flood hazard maps available for review. Your feedback is essential to ensure these maps accurately reflect known local flood risks and historical flooding in your neighborhood.”
One Creek West leaders stress that this is not just another meeting—it’s one of the most important gatherings for anyone concerned about flooding, drainage, and flood control infrastructure in the area. The San Jacinto RFPG plays a key role in securing and directing flood mitigation funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and other state-level agencies.
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Why This Matters: From Data to Dollars
The San Jacinto Region spans over 5,000 square miles and includes more than 6.4 million people across 11 counties, making it one of Texas' most densely populated and flood-prone areas. Between 1975 and 2019, the region had the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims in the state.
In response, the Texas Legislature launched a regional and statewide flood planning effort in 2019. Each region—including the San Jacinto RFPG—is tasked with developing flood plans updated every five years. The first regional plan was submitted in 2023, and planning is now underway for the second plan due in 2028.
This planning cycle includes:
- Identifying current and future flood risks
- Evaluating floodplain management practices
- Recommending infrastructure improvements and regulatory strategies
- Determining community funding needs
(Source: San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group)What Residents Can Do
At the February 24 meeting, residents will be able to:
- Review draft flood hazard maps
- Share neighborhood flooding stories
- Identify areas of concern for future projects
- Connect with planners and engineers
- Ensure their community’s needs are included in the final plan
Only projects and areas identified in the plan will be eligible for state funding. That makes public input essential—particularly for areas like One Creek West, where flood mitigation is a growing concern due to increasing development and limited drainage capacity.
Local Projects and Federal Legal Implications
Two projects in the One Creek West area—both near South Mayde Creek and SH-99—are advancing through the Harris County Flood Control District despite some state funding cutbacks. These include:
- Detention basins near SH-99 to reduce runoff into the creek
- A bypass channel near Greenhouse Road to redirect floodwaters during major storm events
Meanwhile, ongoing litigation against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could potentially result in more than $1 billion in compensation for Harvey flood victims, adding another layer of complexity—and urgency—to flood planning in the region.
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Community Growth and Flood Challenges
The One Creek West area—stretching north of I-10 and south of Clay Road between SH-6 and SH-99—has undergone rapid transformation in the last decade. What was once mostly farmland is now a densely developed residential and commercial zone, home to over 85,000 people as of 2020, with projections closer to 250,000 across the service area.
The growth has outpaced infrastructure updates, leading to increased impervious surfaces and decreased natural absorption of rainfall. This makes the area particularly vulnerable to both flash flooding and longer-term inundation, especially when coupled with limited regulatory oversight due to Harris County’s lack of ordinance-making authority.
How to Stay Involved
Residents who are unable to attend the February 24 meeting can still participate by:
- Taking the online survey to share flood experiences
- Submitting public comments through the San Jacinto RFPG website
This is a critical moment for flood mitigation advocacy, and community members are encouraged to spread the word among neighbors, homeowners associations, and local civic groups.
This meeting represents a key opportunity for residents to have a direct impact on how and where future flood mitigation dollars are allocated—especially in areas like One Creek West where infrastructure updates are urgently needed. Community involvement now can help shape a safer, more flood-resilient future.
For questions, updates, and to get involved, visit One Creek West’s website at onecreekwest.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
