Austin, Travis County urge preparedness as spring flash‑flood season begins

City of Austin and Travis County emergency officials on Wednesday launched a spring seasonal weather campaign urging Central Texas residents to prepare for flash flooding, severe storms, hail and possible tornadoes.

Acting public information and marketing program manager David Weekman of the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Eric Carter, chief emergency management coordinator for Travis County, emphasized that residents should register for local alert systems, assemble emergency kits and avoid driving through floodwater. "Turn around, don't drown," Weekman said, repeating the longtime safety message used by both agencies.

Why it matters: Central Texas, described by officials as part of "Flash Flood Alley," has a history of damaging floods and flood‑related deaths. Speakers noted prior events in October 2013 and May and October 2015 as examples of how quickly flooding can become…