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 life‑threatening.

Officials offered concrete preparedness steps. Carter urged residents to sign up for the region's alert service and understand National Weather Service terminology: "A watch means conditions are favorable. A warning means a hazard is happening or imminent, and it's time to take action," he said. He recommended an emergency kit that includes water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and batteries, phone chargers and first‑aid supplies.

City of Austin Watershed Protection Department Director Jorge Morales described tools and on‑the‑ground preparations the city deploys during storms. ATXfloods.com shows monitored camera views and road‑closure information, Morales said; crews also clear identified hotspots and place barricades where water overtops roads. He said the city maintains an automated flood‑warning system and keeps barricade crews on call.

Officials repeated specific safety thresholds used in public messaging: six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and about 12 inches can carry a vehicle. The Watershed Protection Department encouraged residents who see clogged storm drains or non‑life‑threatening flooding in homes to call the city's 311 service so crews can respond.

Weekman also described outreach to people experiencing homelessness: the Homeless Strategy Office and outreach partners use a text‑message notification system to send preparedness guidance to people in encampments near creeks and drainage channels during flood events. "You are the help until the help arrives," Weekman said, urging neighbors to check on one another and assist people with special needs.

Morales announced that Flood Safety Awareness Week will run April 21–April 26, concluding with a flood safety festival at Campbell Elementary School on Saturday, April 26; the department will also announce winners of a student video contest that produced 30‑second public service announcements on flood driving dangers.

Where to find more information: officials directed residents to ReadyCentralTexas.org for preparedness guidance, WarnCentralTexas.org to register for emergency alerts, and ATXfloods.com for road‑closure and camera information. They also urged residents to follow the National Weather Service and local news outlets for watches and warnings and to treat a warning as a call to take action.

The speakers answered a few reporter questions about an upcoming weekend storm, saying they did not anticipate major flooding but that crews remain prepared and monitor conditions. Morales said the city coordinates with the National Weather Service and pre‑positions crews where appropriate.

No policy actions or votes were taken at the briefing. Officials framed the event as public information and outreach to encourage individual and community preparedness as the spring severe‑weather season begins.