Time to Prepare for Severe Weather, Flash Flood Season in Central Texas

Central Texas is known as Flash Flood Alley. Heavy rains can cause death and significant damage to infrastructure and personal property in a hurry any time of year, but especially during the Spring. Severe weather also brings thunderstorms with lightning, hail, high winds, and tornadoes that can threaten property and life.

Preparing for severe weather and flooding before they arrive can save lives and lessen the impact on your property. Having a plan in place, a safe place to go and/or shelter depending on the situation, emergency supplies, and multiple ways to receive weather watches and warnings from trusted sources can make all the difference when weather rolls through.  

“Severe weather and flash flooding are a year-round hazard for Central Texas,” said Jim Redick, Director of Austin Emergency Management. “However, this time of year is when we have experienced some of our most significant flooding and severe weather events. We were reminded just how dangerous these events can be last year, and we want everyone to know the importance of taking steps to prepare, have a plan for their home and place of work, and stay weather aware when storms are expected in our area.”

When inclement weather hits, it is important to monitor the situation by tuning to your preferred local news outlet for weather updates or livestream via their app. Follow them on social media as well as official accounts for the City of Austin, its public safety departments, and the National Weather Service.

Do not attempt to cross through water running over bridges or roadways by vehicle or on foot. As little as 12 inches of running water can move a vehicle and less than that can cause you to lose your footing. Turn around. Don’t drown.  

Do not drive around barricades during a flood. These barricades indicate it is unsafe to proceed. Driving around barricades put you, your family, and your vehicle at risk.  

Austin Emergency Management

Keys to preparing for severe weather and flooding are to understand and practice the four steps of emergency preparedness.  

Make a Plan: Create an emergency plan for your home that includes meeting locations, evacuation routes, and emergency contacts. A communication tree with your family and neighbors to check in and notify of everyone’s status helps keep your community safe.

Build a Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essential items like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, first-aid supplies, and medications. Don’t forget your pets when building your kit. Have enough food and water for at least three days.  

Know Your Neighbors: Knowing your neighbors can create a strong network capable of assisting each other and increasing your community’s resilience and readiness. You and your neighbors helping each other could be what saves lives and property.

Stay Informed: Keep your cell phone charged during an emergency and have more than one way to receive important information and updates. Sign up to receive emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org and make sure Emergency Alerts are turn on in your mobile device’s notification settings.

Following a severe weather event or flood safely check your property and/or automobile for any damage. Only return to your home to inspect damage after local authorities advise it is safe to do so. Check for loose or downed power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, or structural damage. Take photos for insurance purposes of any damage sustained. Be aware of potential scams looking to take advantage of damage from the storm. Work with your insurance representative to find reputable businesses for any needed repairs.

On the Road:

• Avoid bridges and overpasses.
• Treat flashing or inoperable traffic lights as an all-way stop
• Prepare your vehicle for severe weather and flooding:
  • Inspect your windshield wipers for any cracks and ensure they do no cause streaking
  • Ensure headlights, brake lights, turn signals are functioning properly
  • Check your tire pressure and tread
  • Vehicle emergency kit:
    • Jumper cables
    • Flares or reflective triangle
    • Car cell phone charger

Flooding

Seek higher ground: If your home is flooding and you need to evacuate, find higher elevation. Before you leave (time permitting), put valuable items higher in case water enters your home, like on a bookshelf or counter.

Turn around. Don’t drown: Moving water can be very powerful. Do not attempt to walk or drive through moving water over roadways or bridges.

Severe Weather

Protect your property: Secure loose items such as outdoor furniture and garden tools that could become dangerous projectiles during high winds. Keep trees trimmed to prevent damage from falling branches.  

Seek shelter: If severe weather is approaching, seek shelter in a safe location such as an interior room on the lowest level of your home. Lightning can strike from far away. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. Hail can do more than damage your home or vehicle. It can cause serious injuries. If hail is in the forecast, please get indoors to avoid being struck by hail during a thunderstorm.

Turn off utilities: Know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity in case of an emergency.  

Mosquito safety: Following any rainfall, dump or drain any standing water that may have collected in containers or other items that retain or hold water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water and breed fast – in just a few days, they can lay hundreds of eggs. Items that may collect water include tires, pet water bowls, containers and buckets, toys, birdbaths, planters, flowerpot saucers, trash containers, and rain barrels. Austin Public Health begins testing mosquitoes for diseases like West Nile virus in May.

Watershed Protection 

Before a Flood:

• Clean out drains and gutters.
• Keep drainage easements clear; do not dump debris into creeks or stack debris next to storm drains.
• Gather supplies to last for several days, including non-perishable foods, water, and cleaning supplies.
• Keep a charged cell phone or battery-powered radio handy for weather updates.
• Sign up for regional emergency notifications at WarnCentralTexas.org.
• Store important documents in a watertight container and create password-protected digital copies.
• Move valuables to higher levels in case of flooding.
• Make a family and pet emergency plan; consider whether you want to stay at home or find shelter with friends or family.
• Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, documents, and first aid supplies.
• Turn off electricity and gas if you decide to leave your home and it is safe to do so.  

During a Flood:

• If you must travel, stay away from creeks, trails, culverts, ponds, and drainage infrastructure.
• Check for road closures on ATXFloods.com as roads may flood before homes.
• Never drive through high water or around barricades.
• Slow down on wet roads; water covering roads is hard to see at night.
• Avoid contact with floodwater due to health risks, including hazardous materials and bacteria.
• If water is rising, get to higher ground.

Digital Resources

• Follow @ATXFloods on X for information about flooding.
• Visit ATXFloods.com for real-time road closures.
• Visit ATXFloodSafety.com for preparedness information.

Austin Energy 

In case of a power outage:  

• Keep flashlights and external batteries on hand
• Follow proper instructions if using a portable generator
• Unplug appliances and turn off most lights to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.  
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage and follow FDA guidelines for food safety.

Electrical Safety Tips:  

• Do not drive over or go near a downed power line, as it could be energized. Call 311 if you see a downed line to report it. If the line is sparking, call 911.  
• If you see limbs on wires or see downed tree limbs, please call 311 to report them.

Stay Informed    

• To report a power outage, text OUT to 287846 or visit outagemap.austinenergy.com. You can also report an outage by calling 512-322-9100.    
• Register for Austin Energy’s Outage Alerts by texting REG to 287846.  
• Follow Austin Energy’s social media channels:  
  • x.com/austinenergy
  • facebook.com/austinenergy
  • instagram.com/austinenergy/

During emergency events check Austin Energy’s Current Conditions page for updates.

Austin Water 

Austin Water remains vigilant in anticipation of any forecasted severe weather to ensure uninterrupted service across all water and wastewater infrastructure.

The utility coordinates closely with internal teams and external agencies, including the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and other City departments supporting the regional response when needed. In coordination with LCRA, Austin Water operates floodgates at Longhorn Dam to manage local flow.  Austin Water Emergency Management staff are prepared to actively monitor dam operations and track potential impacts.  The goal is to ensure all treatment facilities remain fully operational during extreme weather.

Austin Water encourages customers to review steps to prepare for any weather hazards that may cause water line damage. Following a few, easy steps now will help customers protect their property and prevent water damage from broken pipes.

Locate your water shutoff. Locate the water main shutoff valve and keep it clear of debris and obstacles at all times. For most homes, the property owner’s shutoff valve is on your side of the water meter at the meter box. For renters, please consult with your property manager. If you cannot find your shutoff valve or if it is damaged, then you should be prepared to access the City shutoff valve in the meter box in an emergency. You may need a water meter key to open the meter box, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Watch a video about how to locate your water shutoff.  

Stay Informed:  

• Sign up for Austin Water’s My ATX Water customer portal.
• Austin Water’s 24-Hour Emergency Hotline can be reached at 512-972-1000, Option 1.

Austin Resource Recovery 

Residential customers can reduce the risk of flooding and wildfires by clearing branches and dead vegetation around their homes. Customers can schedule an on-demand brush collection through the Austin Recycles app, at austintexas.gov/MySchedule or by calling 3-1-1.  

Small branches and yard trimmings can be placed in the green composting cart. Small branches that are no longer than five feet and no thicker than three inches in diameter that do not fit in the green cart with the lid closed should be stacked into manageable piles no heavier than 30 pounds. The City will collect up to 15 extra items placed beside the green cart, including lawn and leaf bags, reusable containers and piles of small branches. Visit AustinTexas.gov/StormDebris for more information on disposal options.