HARLINGEN, Texas - Without certification of its levees, large portions of Cameron County could be designated as high-risk flood hazard areas, potentially affecting development, flood insurance requirements, and property values, warns a drainage expert.
Rolando Vela is general manager of Cameron County Drainage District No. 5. In this capacity, Vela secured a $361,720 grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) through its Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) program to advance levee certification efforts in Cameron County.
Levee certification represents a vital step in maintaining flood protection, reducing long-term risk, and strengthening community resilience throughout Cameron County, Vela said, in an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian.
Much of Cameron County relies on floodways and levees along the Rio Grande, which are operated and maintained by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Vela pointed out. However, he said, the responsibility for initiating levee certification rests with local communities.
Vela said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently updating Cameron County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). He said levees must be certified as compliant with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards in order to be accurately reflected on the revised maps.
“Many residents are relying on flood maps that are more than 50 years old,” Vela said. “They deserve accurate and current information about their true flood risk. Certifying the levees — and encouraging IBWC to implement necessary improvements — will provide that clarity.”
Updated flood risk maps help residents better understand insurance needs and allow communities to plan resilient infrastructure, Vela said.
“It enables informed decisions about where to buy or build and provides a clearer understanding of potential financial and safety risks,” Vela added.
Here, below, is the Guardian’s interview with Vela. It starts with discussion of the Cameron County Small Cities Coalition and then, at 12:50 minutes in, covers levee certification in the county.
CCDD5 provided stats on updating Cameron County's flood risk maps:
Updated Flood Risk Maps: Community Benefits
For Property Owners and Residents
For Communities and Local Governments
For Infrastructure and Development
The IBWC must address levee repairs and improvements identified through the certification process, Vela explained.
“We recognize that levee repairs and improvements are necessary. By securing the local match and initiating this study, we hope the IBWC will accelerate its efforts to move these critical improvements forward,” Vela said.
“Both the certification effort and the physical improvements must advance together, as neither can move forward effectively on its own,” he added.
CCDD5 applied for the $361,720 TWDB grant late last year in order to initiate certification of the county’s levee system. Vela said FIF program provides 50 percent of total project costs, requiring a 50 percent local match. The total cost of the levee certification project is $723,440.
“While this was not a fully funded grant, we believed it was critical to pursue,” Vela said. “Our approach was to first secure state funding and then work collaboratively with our local governmental partners to meet the required match.”
At its February 10, 2026 meeting, the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court approved an inter-local agreement with CCDD5 to contribute $120,573 — one-third of the required local match.
“Our next step is to approach the cities and other drainage districts to assist in completing the remaining local match,” Vela said.
CCDD5 Board President Steve Jennings added: “We appreciate the County’s partnership on this important project. Updating outdated flood risk maps is essential for property owners throughout Cameron County.”
Although CCDD5’s jurisdiction includes Harlingen, Combes, Palm Valley, and Primera, the district pursued the grant with a countywide focus.
“Even though our district directly serves four municipalities, this effort was undertaken with the entire county in mind,” Vela said.
Editor's Note: The Rio Grande Guardian reached out to IBWC for comment. We will bring their reaction as soon as it comes in.
About Cameron County Drainage District No. 5
Established in 1993 following widespread flooding caused by Tropical Depression Two, Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 serves approximately 40 square miles in Cameron County, including portions of Harlingen, Combes, Palm Valley, and Primera. The district is governed by a three-member Board of Directors and operates with a staff of four employees. With a current tax rate of $0.14, CCDD5 generates approximately $4 million annually to support operations, maintain drainage infrastructure, repay Flood Infrastructure Fund loans, and acquire property for future improvements. CCDD5 maintains approximately 70 miles of open drainage channels that convey stormwater to the Arroyo Colorado and plays a critical role in regional flood management across the Rio Grande Valley.
