It could be months, if not years, before southeast Texans receive federal funds to pay for the long-term rebuilding and recovery of homes and communities battered by Hurricane Harvey’s epic rains, officials told legislators Monday.
Brandon Formby
Brandon Formby works with The Texas Tribune’s beat editors and reporters to bring Texans the news, analysis and explanatory journalism they need to put pressing issues into perspective. Previously, as an editor on the news desk, he helped steer coverage of legislative sessions, natural disasters, prolonged power outages, mass shootings and the coronavirus pandemic. As a reporter, he covered urban affairs. Before joining the Tribune in 2016, he reported on transportation, politics and local government for The Dallas Morning News. Brandon grew up in Plano and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He is based in Austin.
City, state officials spar over funding Harvey recovery efforts at Houston meeting
While several Texas officials have thrown support behind some expensive flood control projects, a Houston City Council meeting Monday highlighted the political and financial hurdles that may await such efforts.
Houston mayor: State should tap Rainy Day Fund for Harvey recovery
Sylvester Turner also told The Texas Tribune that fewer houses would have been damaged if federal officials had funded much-needed flood control projects. But he lauded how residents have risen to the challenge of recovering after Hurricane Harvey.
Houston housing officials draw ire for evicting elderly residents
Public housing leaders say a high-rise along Buffalo Bayou is unsafe because of flooding from Hurricane Harvey. But folks who live in 2100 Memorial say officials have mishandled the situation.
In Houston, low-income residents struggle after losing vehicles in floods
In addition to replacing clothes and finding new places to live, many in southeast Texas must repair vehicles or buy new cars. But not being able to get to work for more than three weeks makes that a challenge.
In battered Houston apartments, residents wonder whether to stay
As Collingwood Gardens apartments’ tenants weigh their options, Texas officials admit state funds to help displaced people are woefully inadequate and wait to see what aid package Congress approves.
Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton: There is no fuel shortage
Long lines formed at Texas gas stations Thursday as some prices started to spike — but officials say Hurricane Harvey hasn’t led to a shortage of fuel.
As Harvey leaves Texas behind, Houston shelters remain a lifeline for thousands
More than 10,000 people remain in Houston shelters, where Texans rescued from rising waters figure out their next steps and search for provisions.
Why not evacuate before Harvey? Houston leaders defend their calls to stay put
As Harvey’s waters strand thousands of folks in their homes and send some onto rooftops — a chorus of onlookers have asked: Why didn’t more local officials order mandatory evacuations?
Coastal Texas county’s long recovery from Hurricane Harvey begins
Nowhere was Hurricane Harvey’s devastation felt more than Aransas County, which has had one storm-related death and has had many buildings severely damaged. The region’s difficult physical — and emotional — recovery is underway.

