It's important for all Austin residents to understand the dangers of wildfires, and learn how to plan, prepare and protect their property against wildfire. The Austin Fire Department is asking every homeowner to read "Ready, Set, Go, Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide." This information can help you protect your family, home and property during a wildfire.

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The public is invited to a meeting to share information and the City of Austin's Emergency Operations Plan. The City of Austin’s Emergency Operations Plan was developed to provide a general, conceptual framework for the efficient use of resources and a coordinated, multi-agency response to any major emergency or disaster that impacts the area. The plan establishes guidelines for how the City responds to all hazards within its corporate limits.

The meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commission 1101, 301 W. Second Street Austin, TX 78701.

The purpose of this meeting is to update the general public and stakeholders, including the Pipeline Safety Section of the Gas Services Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas, local businesses and organizations, schools and hospitals, on the Emergency Operations Plan. Developed by the City’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), the plan may be found on the department’s website, click here to view the plan.

Questions about the Emergency Operations Plan should be addressed to Otis J. Latin, Sr., Director, City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, phone (512) 974-0450, or, by email at oem@austintexas.gov.

The Austin-San Antonio National Weather Service Office offers Skywarn severe weather training throughout year. Most Skywarn trainings are conducted in the Spring to coincide with severe weather season and allow citizens, first responders, emergency management, amateur radio operators, and volunteer organizations the opportunity to learn about severe weather preparedness and safety. Published trainings are free and open to the public.

After training is complete, usually 1.5 hours for the BASIC training, you will be an official weather spotter for the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service will count on you to be our "eyes" out in the field, when trying to verify severe weather across South Central Texas. With 33 counties under the jurisdiction of the Austin-San Antonio National Weather Service, it becomes very important to verify and accurately determine where severe weather is occurring. Real-time reports to the NWS office can save lives and property. Post storm reports can help the NWS locate severe weather damage, tornado tracks, and verify severe weather warnings.

Skywarn training is now also offered online. This online training can be found at https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_course.php?id=23. Online training should only be used to supplement what is taught at a local NWS Skywarn training. Attendance at a local NWS Skywarn training is highly encouraged. In addition to learning about severe weather topics specific to South Central Texas, procedures for reporting severe weather to the local Austin-San Antonio National Weather Service Office are also covered.

Training dates can be found at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/?n=skytrn.htm. Additional trainings will be added to this site. If you would like the NWS to schedule a training in your area or schedule for a specific group, please contact Paul Yura, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, at 830-629-0130 ext 223 or email paul.yura@noaa.gov

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There are no known emergency road closures at this time, however emergency incidents can occur without warning at any time and may not be noted on this site.

Scattered rains this afternoon will become widespread later tonight. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for areas mainly along and east of the I-35 corridor. Areas in the watch may see isolated rain totals as high as 5 inches. Main impact time of this event will be from midnight to 6 am Saturday. Heavy rain may occur into Saturday morning.

Locally heavy downpours may lead to a wet and slow commute this afternoon. Be cautious of the wet roads and possible ponding of water on some streets and ditches.

Heaviest rain will develop tonight with widespread rain and imbedded thunderstorms. Some rain rates are expected to be over 1 inch per hour. Rainfall totals over the next 24 hours may average 1-3 inches over the eastern half of South Central Texas, with isolated totals near 5 inches. The Hill Country could see 1-2 inches with isolated 3 inches. Areas west of a Junction to Dilley line will likely see an inch or less. Saturated grounds and heavy downpours may lead to flash flooding across the watch area. The Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 6pm tonight until 9 am Saturday.

Most small creeks and streams throughout South Central Texas will have some flow tonight - meaning flooded low water crossings will be an issue. Most of our flash flood deaths involve driving at night. 

Rivers will also be watched across the area as runoff will cause them to rise quickly, especially the San Marcos, the Guadalupe, and San Antonio River basins. If flooding develops, the rivers may experience some minor flooding

Some storms may produce some small hail, but the main threat continues to be the heavy rain that will fall over the next 18 hours.

The storm system should be out of the area by Saturday afternoon with no additional chances of rain through the end of the weekend. Current weather info at www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx

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A heavy rain event, mainly Friday night into Saturday. Flash flooding will be possible, mainly over the eastern half of south central Texas. Rain totals up to 4 inches are possible. Main impact time is Friday 6pm to noon Saturday.

Rain totals through early Friday will generally be less than one inch and should not cause too many issues. A larger and more potent system will come Friday night and Saturday. This is when flash flooding may occur over portions of south central Texas. These areas can expect 2-3 inches of rain with isolated totals of more than four inches, especially across Karnes, DeWitt, Lavaca, Gonzales, and Fayette Counties. A flash flood watch will likely be issued sometime over the next 18 hours in anticipation of this rain event. Roads may be flooded Friday night and Saturday. Rivers will also be watched across the area as runoff may cause waters to rise quickly, especially the San Marcos, the Guadalupe, and San Antonio River basins.

Rain totals will be less in the Hill Country, with 1-2 inches. Low water crossings and some roadways may see impacts from locally heavy rain. Far western areas near Del Rio and Eagle Pass will see the lowest rain totals generally less than one inch.

Some storms may produce small hail, but the main threat may be heavy rain that will fall from 6 pm Friday to Noon on Saturday. Forecast maps at: www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx

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