After July floods, Kendall County advances debris cleanup and considers stronger floodplain rules

Kendall County officials updated the commissioners Aug. 12 on debris removal and recovery work following the July flood, and the court discussed proposed revisions to the county's flood damage prevention order aimed at reducing future loss of life and property.

TDEM liaison Scott Haines and contractor Tetra Tech reported that debris contractors had completed 211 truckloads, approximately 7,300 cubic yards of material removed to date, and that the county's intake/right‑of‑entry (ROE) process is open for private‑property debris removal. Tetra Tech is operating an intake center and call hotline (830‑217‑2890) to assist property owners with ROE paperwork; the county has staffed an intake location in Comfort to help residents file claims and accept assistance for debris removal.

Separately, county staff presented proposed amendments to the flood damage prevention order. Key proposals include prohibiting commercial manufactured‑home, RV, campground and similar short‑term‑stay park developments in the floodplain; requiring use of best‑available hydraulic and rainfall data (including Atlas 14 where available); reinstating a minimum 1‑acre lot size outside the floodplain at the time of platting; and considering an increase in freeboard (discussed at 1 vs. 2 feet) for areas mapped with older studies.

James Magar, a local civil engineer, advised caution about an arbitrary single‑foot increase in freeboard where historic models are outdated and suggested more detailed study in some basins. County staff proposed a phased approach—adopt noncontroversial items such as the expanded definition prohibiting commercial parks, seek grant funding for updated basin modeling (GLO CDBG‑MIT and FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance referenced), and revisit freeboard once newer data are available. Commissioners directed staff to continue work and engage local engineers and stakeholders before adopting final text.