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Gov. Abbott OKs Harris County Flood Control Bond Election After Harvey Flooding

HOUSTON (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott has granted Harris County's request to hold an August special election in which residents could be asked to approve as much as $2.5 billion to finance critical flood-control projects.

The county was the hardest hit by flooding by Hurricane Harvey.

Houston Area Continues Recovery Efforts From Catastrophic Hurricane Harvey Damage
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 06: Chris Ginter wades through deep floodwaters on September 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Houston resident Chris Ginter has been taking local residents to their flooded homes in his monster truck which can drive through waters up to 4 feet deep. Over a week after Hurricane Harvey hit Southern Texas, residents are beginning the long process of recovering from the storm. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Abbott approved the request in a letter sent on Monday to Harris County commissioners, who needed the governor's permission to hold the election.

Commissioners were expected later this month to officially call for the election on Aug. 25.

That would fall on the one-year anniversary of Harvey's Texas landfall.

Harvey's torrential rainfall made it to the Houston area a day later, flooding thousands of homes.

If approved, the bonds would help pay for various projects in the Houston area, including the widening of bayous.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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