Tag Archives: floods
Travis County partners with Texas Water Development Board on flood planning
Excessive rain isn’t typically something Austinites are concerned about in this drought-stricken era, but our region is unfortunately prone to catastrophic floods, too. Luckily, the first-ever statewide flood plan is set to be taken up by the Legislature – and…
Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jun 7, 2024
City advised not to assist flood victims from April 20 storm
The head of the Watershed Protection Department has advised the city against offering direct assistance to homeowners flooded during an April 20 storm, due to concerns that action could set a precedent for future natural disasters. In a memo dated…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 15, 2023
Flash Flood Alley could see some action on flood relief
In the wake of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Legislature directed the creation of a plan that could guide state and local flood control policy. Now the regional plan concerning Central Texas is getting close to the finish line. Set for…
Public Safety • By Andrea Guzman • Oct 26, 2022
Council approves flood resilience resolution ahead of anniversary of devastating floods
As Austin’s southernmost districts remained under flash flood warning last Thursday, City Council took further steps toward flood resilience measures designed to better prepare the city for natural disasters. Led by District 2’s Vanessa Fuentes, Council unanimously adopted a resolution…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Oct 18, 2021
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Council approves amendments to city code and new floodplain maps
City Council has unanimously approved amendments to the city code redefining what constitutes the 25-year and 100-year floodplains in Austin. The changes also amend floodplain regulations and expand staff’s ability to approve residential redevelopment within the expanded floodplains. The proposed…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 18, 2019
Environmental Commission recommends Council include Atlas 14 update in code rewrite
Atlas 14 is a historical rainfall study that alters the city’s flood plains drastically, showing that Austin is projected to receive a 30 percent increase in rainfall. Nevertheless, the study is not something that can change development on its own.…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 10, 2019
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Growing up: Council wrestles with competing water and housing needs
Between an invasion of zebra mussels, an extended boil-water notice due to continued flooding and the concerning results of the Atlas 14 regional rainfall study, city water problems have crowded to the surface in the months since the last land…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • May 7, 2019
That storm last Friday was bad, but it could have been much worse
A powerful storm dumped up to 7 inches of rain in parts of Central Texas on Friday and could be responsible for up to four deaths in the region. But in one sense, Austin “got lucky,” the city’s flood plain…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 7, 2019
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County faces a future of frequent, heavy storms
As anyone who has sat for hours in Austin traffic knows, city infrastructure is often built to meet the needs of the present, not the needs of 15 or even 10 years down the road. This is a problem when…
