City of Fort Worth asks for assistance fixing flooding in Lebow Channel

The City of Fort Worth is seeking assistance to address severe flooding in the northside, which has resulted in the loss of five lives in recent years.

The issue is centered around the Upper Lebow Channel, and the city is requesting $100 million in federal grant funding to resolve the problem.

Residents living near the channel have long reported significant flooding during rainstorms, with streets and yards submerged in rushing water. Images and videos sent by residents to NBC 5 depict the extent of the flooding, which has caused extensive damage to homes.

Marisela Baeza, a resident familiar with the neighborhood affected by the channel, expressed concerns about the devastating impact of the floods, especially on people’s safety.

According to a city report from December 2023, flooding from the Lebow Channel has resulted in five fatalities in recent years, along with numerous instances of structure flooding and high-water rescues.

Councilman Carlos Flores explained that while the channel was initially designed to manage flooding, increased development in the area has overwhelmed its capacity.

The city council voted to apply for two FEMA grants totaling $100 million to address flooding in the Upper Lebow Channel. If successful, the funds will be used for flood mitigation projects and infrastructure improvements.

Residents like Baeza emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, questioning why more immediate action hasn’t been taken.

Councilman Flores assured that the city has been investing in flood mitigation efforts and will continue to do so, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to addressing the problem.