Williamson County extends disaster declaration, approves landfill vouchers after July 5 floods

Williamson County Commissioners on July 5 voted to extend a local disaster proclamation for 60 days and approved landfill vouchers for properties damaged in the July 5 flooding as the county works to link residents and infrastructure repairs to federal disaster assistance.

The county judge moved to extend a local disaster proclamation beyond the initial seven-day period to 60 days to allow for ongoing damage assessment and cleanup; the court approved the extension 4-0. County staff reported that FEMA has approved an individual-assistance declaration for parts of the region and that Williamson County is pursuing inclusion in FEMA's public-assistance program for infrastructure damage.

County emergency management staff reported an initial, unverified estimate of about $34,000,000 in uninsured public-property damage affecting roads, bridges, water-control facilities, utilities and parks. Damage assessments for residences within the flood footprint identified 29 homes destroyed, 27 with major damage (56 homes displaced in those categories), 24 with minor damage and 33 minimally affected properties. Officials said the figures are still being verified with TDEM and FEMA.

"FEMA's individual assistance helps residents with cleanup and temporary housing options such as hotel vouchers or temporary units," said Bruce Clements, Williamson County emergency management (paraphrased from meeting remarks). He said FEMA disaster recovery centers and SBA representatives would be co-located at planned sites in the Liberty Hill and Georgetown areas when they arrive. Clements said public-assistance funding could cover as much as 75% of eligible infrastructure repair costs once that declaration is in place.

County Auditor Julie Kiley briefed the court on payroll procedures and compensation options for county employees who worked during the emergency. Kiley said the county's "essential personnel leave" policy does not apply because the county government was not closed, but departments generally used paid overtime for nonexempt employees and the court may consider catastrophic-event pay for exempt employees if pay-period thresholds are met. Kiley said the county will seek clarity before the next payroll deadline and expects to return with a recommendation to the court.

Commissioners also approved a court motion to provide landfill vouchers to help remove storm debris from private properties assessed as damaged. The court approved providing two vouchers each for 58 identified properties, 10 vouchers for the City of Liberty Hill, and two vouchers for Hope House (a Liberty Hill residential program), with a not-to-exceed value of $200,000. The court approved the motion 4-0.

"The biggest challenge right now is where residents can take debris," the county judge said during discussion; commissioners and staff stressed that vouchers are intended for properties the county's teams identified as damaged and not for general free-for-all disposal. Staff and Waste Management (the county's landfill operator under contract) will provide guidance on material restrictions; hazardous household waste, tires, batteries and whole vehicles are among items that require other disposal methods.

Sheriff Matt Linden and other public-safety officials described rescue efforts and search operations after the storm. Officials credited interagency mutual aid, volunteer groups and a National Guard/Fort Hood helicopter mission for evacuations, including an air rescue of 13 residents and three staff from Hope House. House and infrastructure impacts were concentrated in a corridor following the San Gabriel River system between the North and South Forks toward Granger Lake.

Officials urged residents to begin FEMA registration and to watch for the county's disaster-resource-center locations. County staff said additional needs and requests from municipalities such as Georgetown will be revisited at the next commissioners court meeting on Tuesday, when the court will also consider any needed adjustments to landfill-fee waivers or voucher logistics.

The court meeting closed with the judge and commissioners thanking county staff, emergency responders, volunteers and partnering agencies for their response efforts and noting continuing rainfall forecasts that could affect ongoing cleanup and recovery work.