Texas says it needs $61 billion from federal government for Harvey recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas needs $61-plus billion in federal funding just to rebuild public infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Harvey, as well as to cover projects to prevent future flooding.

In this aerial photo, homes sit in floodwaters caused Tropical Storm Harvey in Port Arthur, Texas, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Port Arthur’s major roads were swamped by rising waters brought by Harvey(AP Photo/LM Otero)

John Sharp, Texas’ Harvey recovery “czar,” announced Tuesday that the figure was based on surveys of local officials and future U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposals after the storm caused $180 billion in damages statewide.

Sixty per cent would go for flood control, 33 per cent to buying out and elevating flood-prone homes and buildings, with the rest earmarked for water utilities, roads and bridges and hazard mitigation.

Gov. Greg Abbott is in Washington lobbying for $60 billion.

Congress initially approved a Harvey aid package worth around $15 billion. A subsequent, $36.5 billion included funding for Hurricane-battered Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, and wildfire-ravaged California.