**Story has been updated with new numbers.
HOUSTON – As Senate District 7 continues to recover from extreme flooding, three key suburban school districts are set to resume classes on Monday, April 25th. Senator Bettencourt spoke with all three superintendents this week. CyFair ISD Superintendent Dr. Henry, Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Cain, and Katy ISD Superintendent Dr. Frailey have all confirmed that they will be open for normal operations on Monday.
“The Superintendents and their staffs labored tirelessly this week to repair school facilities while waiting for the waters to recede enough to allow for safe travel to and from school for students, parents, and teachers,” said Senator Bettencourt. “CyFair ISD had fifty-two facilities with some level of water damage, and Klein Collins High School suffered major damage due to a suspected tornado, impacting 23 classrooms.”
State Emergency Management reported as of Friday morning that 4,300 Harris County residents have filed flood insurance claims with FEMA, 2,182 Fort Bend County residents had filed claims, as well as 301 claims in Montgomery County and 93 in Waller County. The 8,676 reported claims are expected to increase next week. There are roughly 154,000 total flood insurance policies in the greater Houston metro area.
“With my past experience in damage assessment as Tax Assessor Collector, I believe that over 10,000 homes were damaged by flooding, the majority of which are in Senate District 7,” continued Senator Bettencourt. “Apparently many impacted homes flooded for the first time and may not carry flood insurance. I believe that the actual number of homes flooded will be higher than the current FEMA counts and will be more apparent as information continues to come in to state emergency management officials.”
Representative Gary Elkins (R-Jersey Village) was close to some of the most extensive flooding, and used his light plane to survey the impacted area. He stated that he has never seen this level of flooding in his 23-year legislative career. His flight took him over Bear Creek, up to College Station and back to Eagle Lake.
“Harris County Sheriff Hickman, Constable Herman, Commissioners, as well as numerous fire departments, emergency management districts, and first responders did a phenomenal job conducting water rescues in what was a multi-county flash flood event in Texas,” concluded Senator Bettencourt.
Senator Bettencourt today is attending the grand opening of Station 70 for the Spring Fire Department at 10:00 AM, and will also attend the Katy Area Safety Festival with the Harris County ESD #48 Fire Department at 12:00 PM.
