The Harris County Flood Control District intends to ask the Texas General Land Office to extend funding deadlines for disaster recovery projects related to Hurricane Harvey, as about half are not on track to meet the timeline, HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen told Commissioners Court May 14.

The overview: According to a May 1 report from the flood control district, six of the 11 Hurricane Harvey recovery projects have an estimated completion date beyond the GLO’s Feb. 28, 2027, deadline.

Petersen said HCFCD will seek a nine-month extension and discuss contingency planning with the GLO. This will not be the first time Harris County asks for more flexibility, as the flood control district previously received a nine-month extension in March 2025, she said. 

Also of note: HCFCD is also working to deliver 17 flood mitigation projects, which aim to build resiliency against future extreme weather events, by a March 31, 2028, deadline. However, at least 12 projects are scheduled to run past the deadline, per the report, some of which extend well into 2029. 

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will host 12 free hurricane and disaster workshops to educate residents as hurricane season nears.

What’s happening: Precinct 4 officials will offer eight disaster workshops allowing residents to learn about natural and other disasters that affect the Greater Houston area, Precinct 4 officials announced in a May 13 news release.

The workshop will also offer information on emergency kits and how to navigate public and private preparedness resources.

Meanwhile, Precinct 4 officials will host four hurricane preparedness workshops offering information on emergency resources and how to navigate disaster coverage, per the release.

Attendees will also be given waterproof document bags and be instructed on how to make their own emergency kit.

Stay tuned: The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories across the Greater Houston area from May 11-May 15.

1. NewQuest starts construction on new retail space at The Grand at 249 in Tomball

2. Parisina fabric store opens in The Woodlands area at former Joann location

3. Magnolia ISD OKs construction managers-at-risk for bond projects, land purchase for new high school

4. Houston highlights security, transit preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup

5. Potbelly now serving toasted sandwiches in Conroe

After dozens of Texas primary races ended without a clear winner in March, candidates for those seats will face off in an overtime round, known as a runoff election, this month. Texans can vote early in the runoff election from May 18-22, with election day May 26.

How it works: State law requires that primary candidates receive more than 50% of the votes cast to advance to a general election.

In the May 26 runoff election, Republican and Democratic voters will choose who they want to represent them in statewide offices, legislative and Congressional seats, the State Board of Education and county-level positions. The winner of each runoff race will appear on the ballot in November.

On the ballot: The statewide Republican runoff races include:

• U.S. Senate: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
• Texas attorney general: Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy
• Texas railroad commissioner: Jim Wright and Bo French

• Texas attorney general: Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski
• Texas lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Vélez