Demolition Has Yet to Begin on Flooded Golf Course Homes But Action ‘Soon’ County Says

Demolition should begin soon on the flood-damaged homes along Country Club Drive near La Grange. Those homes have sat vacant since the Hurricane Harvey flood of 2017. The federal government provided buyout funds for the affected owners. The State of Texas distributes those funds, and an independent grant administrator hired by the County will eventually deliver those funds to the property owners.

Moreau said the property owners have not yet been paid, but he expected the payments to arrive soon.

“I hope to see bulldozers before too terribly long,” Moreau told the Record on Wednesday, June 16. “It’s been way, way too long. Homeowners need resolution, the County needs resolution, and I think we’re really close to that.”

However, Moreau did not give a date for when demolition would start or when homeowners would receive those payments.

“There are a few administrative things that have to be done,” he said. “I’m not going to put a prediction on the State. I think we’re getting real close and it excites me.”

Moreau said the project had been delayed by an environmental review. In addition, he said the County had difficulty finding an appraiser.

“There was a hug wait with the real estate market the way it is right now, but we were finally able to secure an appraiser,” he said.

Moreau said an independent grant administrator was negotiating with the homeowners for payment. He said the settlements would be based on the property appraisals minus any insurance payments the homeowners received after the flood.

The properties would be converted to green space and no one will be allowed to build on them in the future, he said.