Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1
austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Service
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Townlake
  1. Departments
  2. Austin Remembers 1981 Memorial Day Flood

Austin Remembers 1981 Memorial Day Flood

  • Austin Remembers 1981 Memorial Day Flood
Name
Watershed Protection Media Line
Phone
512-974-1450
Photo of cars washed into Shoal Creek. Austin History Center PICA 29471.

During the Memorial Day weekend of 1981, Austin experienced a devastating flood. The banks of Shoal Creek quickly overflowed as 10 inches of rain fell within 24 hours on already saturated soil. Thirteen people lost their lives, nineteen families lost their homes, and countless businesses were destroyed. The flood caused an estimated $36 million in damage. This Memorial Day marks the 40th anniversary of this tragic event. 

Despite the devastation and loss that occurred, the Austin community came together to help neighbors in need. From doing laundry, preparing meals, repairing damaged homes and businesses, to returning possessions that in some cases had been washed far downstream, Austinites exhibited strength and resiliency. 

Austin is located in Flash Flood Alley and is vulnerable to extraordinary amounts of rain in a short amount of time. Our creeks will always be subject to flash flooding. While we cannot change our weather, topography or geography, since the Memorial Day Flood of 1981, we have made significant progress to reduce flood risks citywide.

Austin Responds

In response to the devastating Memorial Day flood of 1981, we have developed strategies that help predict, warn and protect Austinites when heavy rain is expected. 

We have added much needed technology; installed flood gauges and barriers for low water crossings; and strengthened our partnerships with the National Weather Service, U.S. Geological Survey, local news media, and community organizations. We have continued to build upon these strategies through the years to also include taller bridges, detention ponds, flood walls, home buyouts, and more stringent regulations to prevent construction in floodplains.

While our projects and efforts have lowered the risk of flooding, we cannot eliminate it completely. Austin is experiencing heavier, more frequent rainfall. We only have to look to the deadly, devastating Halloween Floods of 2013 and 2015, and the Memorial Day Flood of 2015, among others, to see that we still have much more work to do. Our mission to protect lives, property and the environment is just as important as ever, and we will continue to do more. 

Austin has more than 400 roads and 10,000 buildings at risk of flooding from a 100-year flood. It is important for everyone in Central Texas to be aware of the dangers of flooding. For more information about what to do before, during and after a flood occurs, visit ATXFloodSafety.com.

 

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS