Travis County extends disaster declaration, authorizes debris contracts and fee waivers after weekend flash floods

Travis County commissioners on July 8 extended a July 5 disaster declaration, authorized emergency spending and directed steps to accelerate debris removal and homeowner recovery after a severe flash-flooding event that struck parts of northwest Travis County.

"I would like to ask y'all to approve an order extending the 07/05/2025 disaster declaration," County Judge Andy Brown said during the court meeting. The court unanimously approved the extension; the order continues activation of the county emergency plan and temporarily exempts qualifying purchases from certain competitive-purchasing requirements so the county can respond rapidly.

The court also authorized contingency spending to speed debris removal. Planning and Budget staff recommended, and the court approved, directing up to $4,000,000 from the county emergency reserve to support debris contracts and immediate response actions; staff said unused funds would be returned to the reserve. The court additionally approved using standby debris-removal contractors and asked staff to begin staging debris-separation…