About the TWDB Flood Planning Groups
Background and Purpose
Following the devastating impacts of flooding due to recent extreme weather events, the state of Texas received U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG [through the Texas General Land Office]) and expanded the TWDB’s authority to include flood planning. As a result, the TWDB formed 15 Regional Flood Planning Groups (RFPGs) statewide to conduct planning processes that will result in regional flood plans due in January 2023. These plans will contribute to the 2024 State Flood Plan.
Regional Flood Planning Approach
The 2019 Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott greatly expanded the TWDB’s role in flood planning and financing. In addition to existing flood programs, the TWDB now is administering a new state and regional flood planning process with flood planning regions based on river basin boundaries. These regional flood plans will be revised and updated every five years.
The overarching goal of TWDB regional and state flood planning is to reduce the risk of flooding that currently exists and preventing creation of new flood risk by the means of responsible floodplain management practices.
Delivery Timeline
The TWDB’s regional flood planning process was developed, and initial regional flood planning groups were formed in mid-2020. The first regional flood plans will be due in January 2023, and the first state flood plan will be due to the Texas Legislature by September 1, 2024.
This planning process will be ongoing, and an updated plan will be developed by the TWDB every five years.
Study Regions and Contact Information
The TWDB has divided the state into 15 Flood Planning Regions:
- Region 1—Canadian Upper Red
- Region 2—Lower Red–Sulphur–Cypress
- Region 3—Trinity
- Region 4—Sabine
- Region 5—Neches
- San Jacinto Region—San Jacinto
- Region 7—Upper Brazos
- Region 8—Lower Brazos
- Region 9—Upper Colorado
- Region 10—Lower Colorado/Lavaca
- Region 11—Guadalupe
- Region 12—San Antonio
- Region 13—Nueces
- Region 14—Upper Rio Grande
- Region 15—Lower Rio Grande
TWDB Contact: Megan Ingram, (512) 475-1590, megan.ingram@twdb.texas.gov
RFPG Bylaws
View and download the RFPG Bylaws here.