KOUNTZE, Texas — Hardin County is getting money that will help them fight flooding in areas that need it the most.
Thursday afternoon the Texas General Land Office presented a nearly $24 million check to Hardin County.
“Well without this money these projects would not happen at all. I mean this is a very significant amount of money. In fact I believe it’s historic. I doubt that Hardin County has ever received a lump sum payment like this. Of nearly $24 million," Said Judge Wayne McDaniel.
This grant will go towards improving drainage and roadway infrastructure in parts of Lumberton, Silsbee, Kountze and Village Mills.
"I've never been flooded. But the house across the street over there has. So that's how close it's come," said Lumberton resident Don Dugue.
Dugue has lived in the El Pinto neighborhood for 43 years. Lately, he says, the area has been prone to flooding.
"And we're getting more and more water than we used to. That ditch usually, every time we get a good rain it fills up. It used to not do that," Dugue said.
Now with the $24 million grant, the county will get the chance to fix these issues that have plagued residents.
"We are so excited to bring almost $24 million in resources to Hardin County to help with the flooding issues," said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham.
The projects will focus on drainage among other issues.
"The priority is to spend the money on drainage. There are some street improvements. But the street improvements tied into the drainage improvements," said Judge McDaniel.
Improvements to the El Pinto Fletcher drainage channel will be included along with a project to build a new water detention facility.
"There's some channelization improvements. Which just means that some of the ditches there are gonna be dug out. Maybe deeper or wider. Just whatever is called for. There will also be a little detention area in that area to hold that water back," Judge McDaniel said.
Residents in Silsbee and Kountze can also look forward to roadside ditch and channel improvements. Elevated roadways are the works for Silsbee, Kountze and Village Mills.
All of the projects are to help keep homes and business from flooding.
"I mean they did this here several years ago. They dug out my ditches and replaced the culverts and it's helped," Dugue said.
There will be a meeting where community members can ask questions about the project. Those dates have not been determined yet.