Recent Updates
-
 The tornado that occurred in northeast Austin early Wednesday morning has been rated as an EF1, with maximum winds near 100 mph. The damage path was 1.14 miles in length and 50 yards wide. There were no injuries or fatalities
Map
Previous posts >>
-
The tornado path began at the intersection of Commercial Park Drive and Old Manor Road, with radar indicating a touchdown time near 2:58 am. Wednesday. Damage continued north through an industrial park, then across U.S. 290 before entering the Walnut Place subdivision. Further damage occurred to homes on the west side of Happy Trail with trees on the east side of Happy Trail laying down toward the west and converging with the damage to the homes. Debris was noted along Ferguson Lane. The tornado path ended just west of the intersection of Ferguson Lane and Sansom Road. Map
Previous posts >>
-
|
 |
EMERGENCY CONDITIONS |
 |
|
|
Emergency Conditions information is updated by the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Travis County Office of Emergency Management.
This information includes updates for the City of Austin and Travis County concerning community services, road closures, emergency shelters, and other special circumstances.
Emergency Road Closures
During severe weather, roads may become dangerous before information is posted on this page. Always use caution when travelling in severe weather. ${doctype;id:81175;showSubheading:-1}
Incident Updates History
${doctype;id:77631;showSubheading:1}
-
The City of Austin is kicking off its annual Flood Safety Poster Contest.
Kids, ages 6 to 13,
can enter their posters,
illustrating the theme,
“Turn Around – Don’t Drown,”
and have a chance to win
several great prizes:
- Gift card, $100 to $25 for first, second, third and fouth place winners.
- Ride on Lady Bird Lake in a swift water rescue boat with an emergency responder.
- Poster printed in a safety calendar(s) and in a Flood Safety insert in the Austin-American Statesman.
This contest is an important way to educate students about the risk of flooding that we all face in Central Texas.
It’s hard to remember in the middle of one of the worst droughts in Texas’ history, but flooding is Austin’s top weather-related emergency and the number-one cause of weather-related fatalities.
Guidelines
- 8 ½ by 11 paper, in landscape orientation.
- Shows the dangers of driving through flood waters.
- Either “Save Yourself! Turn Around – Don’t Drown” or “¡Sálvese! Es mejor regresarse - que ahogarse.” should be the headline
- Due Feb. 24th 2012 (in our hands, not post-marked).
Information to Include on Back of Poster
- Child’s name, grade and age
- Parent’s or guardian’s name, phone number, email and address
- School and teacher’s name, phone number and email (optional)
Submitting Artwork
- Mail to City of Austin, WPD, Attn: Joan Esquivel, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
- Drop off at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 12th Floor, Austin, TX 78704
- Email computer-generated artwork to floodawareness@austintexas.gov
- Must be received by Feb. 24, 2012
Note: Artwork will become the property of the City of Austin and will not be returned.
Age Categories 6 to 8 year olds, 9 to 11 year olds and 12 to 13 year olds.
Download the Poster Guidelines
The contest is sponsored by the City of Austin, the Texas Floodplain Management Association, the National Weather Service, the LCRA and the U.S. Geological Survey.
-
During severe weather, roads may become dangerous before information is reported. Always use caution when travelling in severe weather. For updated road closures click here.
The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:
- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
- A foot of water will float many vehicles.
- Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:
- Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
- Avoid moving water.
- Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
- Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
- Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
- Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
Previous posts >>
-
 The Wednesday morning commute may be highly impacted by heavy rain, storms, strong winds, and reduced visibilities.
Graphic shows forecast for Wednesday.
There is a high chances for rainfall and thunderstorms overnight and lasting until mid-day on Wednesday. These will bring several inches of rain as well as strong thunderstorms, some may become severe (hail and high wind). Hailstorms were reported in portions of the Austin area Tuesday morning.
Up to two inches of rain can be expected Wednesday. This type of rain, especially in the urban areas, could set up minor flooding concerns and possible closures of low-water crossings.
The main impact time will be the 12-hour window from 10 pm tonight to 10 am Wednesday.
Most if not all the rain should move out of the area by Wednesday evening.
-
Office of Vital Records, 7201 Levander Loop, is unable to open at this time, Betty Dunkerley Campus is operating under emergency power.
Previous News posts >>
|
