Watch CBS News

Harris County Plans Billboard Campaign To Push Flood Insurance After Harvey

HOUSTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) -- Houston-area officials are planning a campaign to put up two dozen billboards encouraging residents to buy flood insurance after Hurricane Harvey.

The Harris County Flood Control District estimates more than 80 percent of the county's 1.4 million buildings lacked flood insurance when the storm devastated the region.

Houston Area Begins Slow Recovery From Harvey Storm Damage
The top of a fire hydrant sticks out of floodwaters in front of a home on September 7, 2017 in Richwood, Texas. (credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Houston Chronicle reports that the Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to seek $75,000 in federal grant funds for the billboards.

The district gave commissioners examples of proposed billboard messages disproving flood protection myths.

One example says hurricane season lasts from June to November, but that "flood season" lasts year-round. Another encourages residents outside flood plains to buy flood insurance.

The move is part of a larger effort by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to double flood insurance policies over the next five years.

Many evacuees came to North Texas after Hurricane Harvey.  Some stayed for months.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.