Mayor Sylvester Turner says continued rebuilding after the 2017 storm has enabled technology investments that modernize the city and make it more competitive.

A team with experience saving people and animals from flooding during Hurricane Harvey say satellite imagery provides information that can shave crucial minutes off response time.

Using video conferencing, public safety workers can help people in emergencies figure out whether they need an ambulance or just a taxi.

Commentary: Stephen Larrick, open cities director at the Sunlight Foundation, says cities now have the tools to complete the full life cycle of open data.

With the huge summer storm still fresh in everyone's memory, the decision is a milestone for the federal agency that is still seeking participation from many other populous states.