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Austin officials outline flood-readiness steps after July storms
Summary
Watershed Protection and Austin Homeland Security & Emergency Management briefed council on flood history, recent storm responses, mapping updates, alerting authority and capital needs; staff reiterated outreach and grant-seeking while council pressed for bond and grant strategies.
City officials told the Austin City Council on Aug. 26 that flood readiness remains a top priority after heavy storms this summer, outlining recent emergency responses, capital projects, regulatory work and public outreach aimed at reducing risk to lives and property.
"This particular item, related to flood readiness, is very important, to us as well as our residents," Watershed Protection Department Director Jorge Morales said as he opened a briefing for council. Morales and Jim Redick, director of Homeland Security Emergency Management (HESAM), summarized preparedness and response work, including real-time monitoring, debris removal, infrastructure investments and community education.
The briefing came after intense storms this year that prompted the city to activate operations centers and field teams. Morales said crews closed low-water crossings, conducted reconnaissance and removed debris; he said the department had recovered more than 10,000 tons of debris from drainage infrastructure through June and removed over 1,000 tons…
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