Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 10.79 and falling. The Brazos River peaked on Sunday morning after the lower portions of the watershed received between 3 to 6 inches over the weekend. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

After a wet weekend, this week should clear up with the return of sunny, but cooler conditions. A cold front has caused the NWS to place Fort Bend County and the surrounding area in a Freeze warning from midnight tonight through 8 AM Tuesday Morning.

After the initial cold weather today and tomorrow, our temperatures for the remainder of the week should consist of highs in the low/mid-50s to the mid-60s with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. We do have another cold front moving through the region on Wednesday which is bringing higher rain chances Tuesday afternoon/evening into Wednesday afternoon. Overall, the lower Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County could see between ½ to 1 inch of rainfall over the next 7 days.

Reservoir Status

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 8.94. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

This week will start with similar dry conditions; however, the NWS Forecast includes wet conditions the second half of the week with heavy rainfall possible Friday and Saturday. High temperatures over the next 5 days will be as high as the low 80s with low temperatures in the low 50s to low 60s. Over the next 7 days, the lower Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County, could receive 1 to 3 inches.

Reservoir Status

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 8.73. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

This week should continue to consist of sunny to partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid to upper 70s into the low 80s and lows in the upper 40s to mid-60s. Our rain chances remain low over the next 7 days with our highest chances for rain closer into the weekend. Based on the current 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF), the Lower Brazos Watershed, including Fort Bend County, could see less than a ¼ inch of rain over the next 7 days.

Tropical Activity

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Hurricane Iota and Tropical Disturbance both located east of Central America. The National Hurricane Center does not expect either of these systems to impact the Texas Coast.

Reservoir Status

The Board of Directors for Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46 (the “District”) has authorized the design of a storm water pump station facility to provide additional flood protection for residents of the District.  The District previously sold infrastructure bonds for the project in 2018, and the project is not anticipated to increase the District’s tax rate.

The proposed pump station will be located at the existing District drainage outfall structure south of Bethany Bay Drive and generally just northeast of the Elkins High School campus. See the site layout that has been provided.

Over the past several years, the District has experienced numerous high water events on the Brazos River and has had to bring in temporary pumps to evacuate accumulated rainfall from the District because of restricted gravity outfall during these Brazos River events.  The District engaged a study to determine the size of the pump station to minimize risk to residents of structural flooding in the District.  The proposed 29,000 gallon per minute pump station will only be in operation when gravity outfall is restricted.  The pump station will normally be operated on electrical power but the District is also including an emergency backup generator so that the pump station is still operational during electrical outages.  Construction of the pump station should begin Q1 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2021.

Dear Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Residents,

This past week most of us received our 2020 Notice of Appraised Value with increases in our taxable property values. This came at a time when most of us have anxiety and fear regarding our job security, paying our mortgages, and other expenses. The increased property tax burden resulting from the surge in property valuations will harshly affect and compound our hardships.

Many of you have contacted me regarding your increased valuations. I immediately contacted Fort Bend County’s Appraisal District to provide instant relief to our residents. Even though they were very sympathetic to the current situation, this requires our State Legislators, Attorney General, and Governor to make an exemption. In addition to my letter to Governor Abbott, Attorney General Paxton, and our State Representatives and Senators, I am calling on you to reach out to our State officials respectfully requesting and strongly urging the following:

• Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
• Create payment plans without fees
• Reduce late fees
• Extend deadlines
• Change payment due dates

To make it easier, I have provided their information below as well as link – https://www.texastribune.org/directory/#txhouse

Thank you. I hope you and yours stay healthy. Together we will make a difference.

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SAMPLE LETTER / EMAIL

Dear Governor, Attorney General, State Senators and State Representatives,

For most of us, our homes are the most expensive item we will ever purchase. A home is more than a residence. It is a family dwelling place, shelter, and refuge from the outside world. I recently received my 2020 property valuation and was shocked with increase in taxable values. This increase comes at time when job security, paying home mortgages, and other expenses weigh very heavily on my family.

The disastrous situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, downturn in the economy at all levels, and the alarmingly ill-timed record-high property tax appraisal valuations collectively pose a danger to my health, welfare, and safety. I respectfully request and strongly urge all state governmental officials, representatives, senators, and directors of the Fort Bend County Appraisal District in taking immediate action with the following:

• Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
• Create payment plans without fees
• Lower late fees
• Extend deadlines
• Change payment due dates.

Thank you.

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SAMPLE PHONE CONVERSATION / MESSAGE

Hello, My name is ____________, I am a Fort Bend County resident. The reason why I am calling you is for you to take immediate action regarding property tax relief and on the following:

• Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
• Create payment plans without fees
• Lower late fees
• Extend deadlines
• Change payment due dates.

The disastrous situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, downturn in the economy, and record-high property tax appraisal valuations collectively pose a danger to my health, welfare, and safety. Thank you.

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Office of the Governor Greg Abbott

P.O. Box 12428
Austin Texas 78711
(512) 463-2000
https://gov.texas.gov/contact

Office of the Attorney General Ken Paxton

PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
800-252-8011
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us-online-form

Office of State Representative Rick Miller – District 26

Room E1.304
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0710
Rick.miller@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Borris Miles – District 13

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0113
borris.miles@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Ron Reynolds – District 27

Room E1.320
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0494
ron.reynolds@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Joan Huffman – District 17

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0117
Joan.Huffman@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Gary Gates – District 28

Room CAP GW.11
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0657
gary.gates@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Lois Kolkhorst – District 18

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0118
Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Phil Stephenson – District 85

Room E2.902
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0604
Phil.Stephenson@house.texas.gov

Fort Bend County has experienced destructive high water events in the recent years. We must be prepared not only during Hurricane Season but all year round.

With this in mind, Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant would like to share some important Emergency Preparedness tips with our residents.