Since the July flood disaster, Travis County has been coordinating relief efforts at Round Mountain Baptist Church. But as the summer nears its end, relief may be running out for flood survivors seeking financial assistance. The county may soon consider raising property taxes one time to assist with that relief, which some residents impacted by […]
floods
Posted inTravis County
Nearly 200 homes in Travis County were damaged by July flooding
Nearly 200 homes in the Big Sandy Creek neighborhood in northwestern Travis County were damaged by flooding on July 5, according to a report released Monday by county officials. Of the homes affected, 71 were mobile homes and 127 were single-family houses. Travis County is offering short term housing, temporary property tax relief and waiving […]
Posted inBudget
Travis County proposes raising property taxes to pay for flood repairs
The Travis County Commissioners Court is expected to raise property taxes to pay for damage caused by the flooding on July 5. Commissioners have until Oct. 1 to decide on the 9.12% tax hike. If approved, the average Travis County homeowner can expect to pay $200 more than what they paid the previous year, according […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County Establishes Flood Relief Fund, Volunteer Center
The tragic flooding on July 4 weekend in Central Texas has made the gutting of FEMA look even worse than it already did, throwing into high relief the unfortunate necessity of municipalities stepping up to plug the gaps in the wake of disaster. On July 15, Travis County established a new short-term relief fund and […]
Posted inEnvironment
Updates to erosion protections coming to Council
During the inaugural meeting of City Council’s newly formed Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee on Feb. 26, members heard a briefing on a proposed ordinance from the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) to increase erosion protections along the Colorado River. The Austin-area segment of the river crosses several jurisdictional boundaries, including the Travis County line, […]
Posted inTravis County
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 is at work on its own Master Flood Plan with help from a […]
Posted inEnvironment
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 June 1, Jorge L. Morales, director of the watershed department, said having the city cover […]
Posted inPublic Safety
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 completion in January, the plan includes more than $400 million in estimated funding needs. The […]
Posted inCity Council
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 that incorporates a range of initiatives to improve flood mitigation infrastructure, expand disaster response training […]
Posted inPlanning
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 code changes are the result of Atlas 14, a historical rainfall study released by the […]
Posted inPlanning
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. To ensure that the updated Atlas 14 maps are considered during any development and redevelopment […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 use code rewrite attempt was scrapped. Preparing to pick up where that process ended, City […]