In times of crisis, communities stand stronger together. While impacts to the City of Austin from the severe flash flooding over the weekend were minimal, first responders and City staff stepped up to help surrounding communities by providing crucial support and resources. 

“We ask an amazing amount from our public safety professionals—servants dedicated to saving lives. They do important jobs, often in challenging, dangerous, awful conditions, and this past weekend was no different. I’m really proud of our professional staff, who are always ready to go above and beyond in service of others,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “Many of them have been on the frontlines of the rescue and recovery efforts across central Texas, including in western Travis County and Kerr County. Others have made sure our community here at home is protected and our critical infrastructure remains operational. I’m grateful for their work and professionalism. Thank God we have them. God bless them. And God bless those lost and the families who have lost them.”

First responders from Austin Fire, Austin Police, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service (ATCEMS) answered the call both locally and regionally to respond to the devastating events. Employees from utilities to emergency management, transportation to animal services, and more all played a role in how the City responded to this emergency to help those impacted.

Austin-Travis County EMS deployed 11 personnel outside of Travis County to assist with flood response efforts in coordination with Texas Task Force 1 (TXTF1) and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF). ATCEMS began deploying staff starting July 3. Deployments included a three-person swift water boat team and a plans officer supporting a Type 1 Urban Search and Rescue team. To support EMTF operations, ATCEMS sent a Task Force leader and a full Ambulance Bus (AMBUS) crew made up of a driver, crew chief, and four medics. All 11 remain deployed to support recovery efforts.

In preparation for further requests from the state, ATCEMS has identified an additional 11 personnel to form an Ambulance Strike Team (five ambulances and a team leader) who have been placed on standby for rapid deployment. 

ATCEMS has also been actively engaged in flood response within Travis County, Burnet County, and Williamson County. Local efforts included the deployment of three district commanders serving in transport, reunification, and medical branch leadership roles, as well as a Community Health Captain stationed at the Family Assistance Center in Leander. An eight-person boat squad was activated early on July 4 and remained in operation until late July 5.

The Austin Fire Department deployed three rescue swimmers on Friday, July 4 to perform water rescues in San Angelo, Kerrville, and Sequin as part of the Texas Task Force 1 Helicopter Search and Rescue Team (HSART).  

On Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, two crews, eight total fire personnel, and an AFD boat, were assigned to assist Travis County Emergency Service District 1 with search efforts in Burnett and Williamson County. 

An additional six personnel were deployed Monday morning to augment Texas Task Force 1 search and rescue efforts in the area. A fire engine was sent in response to an assistance request from Williamson County.

Today, four fire engines are assisting Marble Falls and Burnet County with search efforts and a Fire Battalion Chief deployed in response to a Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) request for a communications technician, which play a critical role in incidents in which communication infrastructure is damaged or the incident has highly complex communication needs.  

The Austin Police Department (APD) has been working closely with other City of Austin departments to provide support where needed, monitoring weather conditions and sharing information both internally and externally. 

APD’s Lake Patrol Unit assisted throughout the weekend by closing entry points to Austin waterways, while patrol units monitored flood-prone areas and reported locations that required barricades. 

On Monday, July 7, members of APD’s Mounted Unit deployed to Kendall County to assist with search and recovery efforts. Tuesday, July 8, members of APD’s Special Response Team are assisting the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office and members of APD’s Lake Unit are supporting Travis County in search and recovery efforts. 

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, members of the APD Motor team will assist with escorting the Odessa Police Department officer who died in the floods from the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office back to Odessa.

Additionally, APD’s Victim Services Unit has reached out to various agencies to offer support and is coordinating with outside agencies to ensure they have the resources they need. 

Staff from the Austin Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) worked alongside colleagues from Travis County Office of Emergency Management in the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center throughout the weekend to monitor the evolving situation, direct resources, and provide critical updates via social media and the City’s Alerts webpage.

Two HSEM staff are assisting Williamson County on its incident management team. HSEM’s Mass Care division is actively working with partners from its recently formed Austin Resiliency Network to connect non-government organizations with those in need of resources and/or services.  

Crews with the City’s Watershed Protection Department initiated debris removal operations on Friday, July 4, and the operation is ongoing. Engineering teams have initiated assessment of flooding reports and reconnaissance efforts.

Throughout the weekend, Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) crews monitored low water crossings in the region and stood ready to barricade low water crossings as needed.

Watershed Protection continues to work through more than 100 service requests since Saturday, July 4.  Approximately 75% of those requests have been investigated to create work orders or referred to internal engineering teams for further assessment. The remainder are in progress.

Austin’s Animal Services helped transport animals from Kerr County shelters to the Austin Animal Center to open up space at the Kerr County shelter for displaced animals in their community.

The City of Austin is committed to supporting ongoing recovery efforts both locally, in our surrounding counties, and throughout the Central Texas region. 

Austin Water maintained elevated awareness throughout the severe weather, ensuring uninterrupted service across all water and wastewater infrastructure. The utility coordinated closely with internal teams and external agencies, including the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and other City departments supporting the regional response. In coordination with LCRA, Austin Water operated floodgates at Longhorn Dam to manage local flow.

Austin Water Emergency Management staff actively monitored dam operations and tracked potential impacts. All treatment facilities remained fully operational, and no sanitary sewer overflows were reported during the event.

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