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Harvey Caused More Than $74 Million in Damage to Flood Control Infrastructure

The Harris County Flood Control District said it has identified more than 500 needed repair projects over 150 miles of county waterways.

(TNS) - Hurricane Harvey caused more than $74 million in damage to Harris County flood control infrastructure, a number that's likely to continue to grow as officials continue to assess the scope of the storm's devastation.

The Harris County Flood Control District said it has identified more than 500 needed repair projects over 150 miles of county waterways, including fixes to sinkholes, damaged pipes and concrete and erosion that could threaten homes and inhibit the ability of channels to manage floods.

The damage estimate is expected to top $100 million, county officials said.

Reports of damage countywide include more than 1,400 areas where channels have eroded, more than 260 areas where silt has built up and 820 areas where the slopes of bayous and creeks have been compromised.

After the Tax Day floods, county officials found similar widespread damage.

"We ask for the public's patience as we work our way through this process, focusing on the most severe damages first," said Harris County Flood Control District Director Russ Poppe. "Our goal is to restore our drainage system to pre-Harvey conditions as quickly as possible."

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