Howdy WHA Members!
Across Greater Houston, new flood-risk information is beginning to reshape conversations about development, infrastructure, insurance, and long-term resilience. The still in progress and under review MAPPNext data and related maps represent the county’s first comprehensive update since 2007, incorporating updated rainfall estimates, topographic information, and flood-control improvements completed across the region. That discussion gets to the heart of an issue Greater West Houston cannot afford to overlook: resilience depends not only on the infrastructure we build, but also on the information we use to plan it. Updated flood maps, drainage models, and development standards influence where communities grow, how projects are designed, what property owners pay for insurance, and how public resources are invested. When that information changes, the effects extend well beyond lines on a map.
The need for regional coordination is becoming even more urgent as growth continues beyond Harris County. Waller County was recently identified as the fastest-growing county in Texas and the second-fastest-growing county in the country. Its population increased from 56,769 in 2020 to 69,858 in 2025, and continued residential and commercial development will place additional demands on roads, drainage, water systems, public services, and shared watersheds. Fort Bend County is experiencing similar pressures as development continues moving west. Growth does not stop at county lines, and neither does water.
July also ended with a particularly dangerous stretch of summer heat. Temperatures approached or exceeded 100 degrees in parts of the region; extreme heat is also an infrastructure issue. Reliable electricity and water systems, trees and shaded public spaces, sustainable infrastructure, and thoughtful community design all affect how we manage prolonged periods of high temperatures. Flooding and heat may present different challenges, but both demonstrate why resilience must be considered throughout the way our region plans, builds, and invests.
At the West Houston Association, we believe better information should lead to better decisions. That requires coordination among counties, cities, drainage districts, municipal utility districts, engineers, developers, property owners, and community leaders. Maps and models are valuable tools, but their greatest value comes when they support practical action, thoughtful development, and infrastructure investments that reduce risk while allowing our region to continue growing.
On August 20, WHA will bring these issues together at our Flood Control and Drainage Forum, Understanding the Impacts of MAAPNext, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Junior League of Houston. Russ Poppe of the Fort Bend County Drainage District and Ross McCall, Waller County Engineer, will join moderator Steve Costello, Vice President at Carollo Engineers, for a discussion of how updated flood information may affect planning, development, insurance, infrastructure, and regional coordination. I encourage our members and partners to register and be part of this timely conversation.
Looking ahead, WHA will host a forum on the West Houston Trails Project on September 17 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. The program will explore the potential for a more connected trail network across West and Northwest Harris County, including opportunities to connect existing trails, parks, neighborhoods, and regional destinations. Beyond recreation, these connections can support mobility, quality of life, economic development, and access to nature while making creative use of existing public rights of way and infrastructure corridors.
Then, on October 7, we will gather for our annual Public Officials & Awards Reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Junior League of Houston. This special members-only event gives WHA an opportunity to recognize the public officials, community leaders, projects, and developments helping shape the future of Greater West Houston. This year’s honorees will include Marlene Gafrick as WHA’s 2026 Star of Excellence. More announcements will be shared as we get closer to the event.
Our committees also continue their work throughout August, with several advancing updates to their respective sections of the West Houston 2060 Plan. Our Flood Control & Drainage Committee meets August 5 to finalize details for the upcoming forum, followed by our Government Affairs Committee on August 10 as it considers our 2027 Legislative Agenda. On August 11, both our Sustainable Infrastructure Committee and our Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Committee will meet, with discussions focused on resilient infrastructure, quality parks, trails, and connected open spaces. Our Education & Workforce Committee convenes August 14. Our Regional Mobility Committee meets August 19 for a special discussion of Harris County’s Traffic Impact Analysis policy and its implications for private development, roadway improvements, project delivery, and coordination. Our Water Resources Committee meets August 20, and our Quality Planned Development Committee will hold an off-site tour on August 26. Our Rising Leaders continue their program August 28 with a session focused on sustainable infrastructure.
Whether we are discussing flood maps, trails, mobility policies, water systems, or quality development, the underlying need is the same: public and private leaders working together before challenges become crises. Thank you to the members, partners, and committee volunteers who continue to share their time and expertise. Your engagement allows WHA to connect information with action and help Greater West Houston grow with greater coordination, resilience, and long-term value.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the MAAPNext Forum and throughout the busy months ahead.
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association