Austin residents urged to take steps now to prepare for future flood events
May 23-27, 2022, is Flood Safety Awareness Week in Texas. Our city lies in the heart of Flash Flood Alley, and it is critical that Austinites be alert to the dangers of flooding both in their home and on the road.
Residents are urged to take precautions now to protect themselves and their homes and businesses from future flood events. The Watershed Protection Department encourages Austinites to visit www.ATXFloodSafety.com to access various resources related to flood safety, such as real-time road closures and rainfall data, floodplain maps, flood insurance information and steps on how to make an emergency plan. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts, and they can even contribute to the Watershed Protection Department’s strategic planning process—Rain to River!
Flooding can occur any time of the year and causes more damage in the United States than any other weather-related event. On average, floods cause eight billion dollars in damages and eighty-nine fatalities annually. That is why it is so important to be prepared should flooding occur.
Flooding is the most common and costly type of disaster in Texas. There have been major floods in the past during the spring time but as many Texas residents have experienced first-hand, flooding can occur any time of the year. Everyone has some flood risk, regardless of whether they live near a stream, river or the coast. A flood can happen anywhere it rains. Now is the time for individuals, families, and business owners to learn about their risk of flooding and take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their property in the event of a flood.