Texas governor tours region to see Harvey recovery
DICKINSON, Texas (KTRK) -- Governor Greg Abbott made five stops today and in each one met with local leaders to find out what they need now and remind them they are not forgotten.
His first stop was Sugar Land for a briefing with city and county officials.
The governor was asking questions and offering answers, and took the time to commend the debris cleanup.
Abbott said he understood the need for future flood prevention.
"That means things like more reservoirs, more dams and levees, hardening our local assets so that we will be able to prevent things like this in the future," Abbott said.
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County Judge Bob Hebert told the governor better infrastructure is critical.
"We need some kind of program to realize that when we get a lot of rain down here these highways need to be elevated and they need to be elevated in a way that they don't serve as dams and push water on people," Hebert said.
In each of the stops, housing was an issue. The state is working with FEMA to offer multiple short and long term options.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush-also on the tour today-- is in charge of housing recovery.
"It's extraordinary. It's 1.2 million households that were impacted, half of which were impacted here in the greater Ft. Bend Harris County area," Bush said. "So the greatest need is really right here. "
MAP: Abbott's stops in Harvey-impacted communities
From debris removal, to housing, to prevention, the state acknowledges this is not a quick fix. Not after what Harvey did up and down the gulf coast for the better part of a week.
"The whole process is going to take a couple of years," said John Sharp, with the Commission to Rebuild Texas. "And when I say a couple of years I'm talking about the mitigation. "
This tour is just one of those steps toward recovery and prevention.
"Part of our goal is to reach out to the local community and let every citizen here understand that they are not forgotten," Abbott said.
The Governor plans to hit five more cities Wednesday.
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