20250820-002: WPD Flood Response Presentation — original pdf

Backup

Overview • Austin Flood History • Austin Flood Challenges • Flood Preparedness Strategy • Funding • Rain to River • Questions Austin Flood Challenges • Atlas 14 data shows Austin is experiencing more frequent and heavier rainfall • Austin has shallow soils and world record rainfall rates • 10% of land in Austin is in the floodplain and subject to flash flooding • More than 10,000 buildings and 400 roads are prone to flooding during a 100-year flood Flood Preparedness Strategy • Flood Mitigation • Flood Preparedness • Flood Response Flood Mitigation • Capital Improvement Projects • Floodplain & Drainage Regulations • Operations & Maintenance • Vegetation & Land Management • In-house Drainage System Upgrades Flood Preparedness • Preventative maintenance of drainage system • Pre-storm checks on critical locations • Monitor the weather for potential flooding • Coordinate with partner departments, Austin-Travis County Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and Stakeholders • Communication & Engagement Flood Response • Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) • Watershed Protection Department Emergency Management Team • Department Operations Center • Flood Reconnaissance and Debris Management Flood Impacts & Response May 28, 2025 Department OPCON Level 2 • 8 low water crossing closures • 35 flooded structures • 2 WPD buildings impacted (back-up generation) • 298 Service Requests • 5 reconnaissance teams investigated areas with high intensity rainfall and met with impacted community members • Collaborated with Development Services Department to create resource documents and handouts for affected residents • 1,000 tons of debris removed from drainage system • Coordinated with Austin Resource Recovery and Transportation & Public Works for debris management • Participated in media requests to include in city-wide press conference Watershed Protection Department Operations Center (DOC) First time activated on May 29-30 for OPCON Level 2 Flood Impacts & Response July 5, 2025 Department OPCON Level 3 • 18 low water crossing closures; multiple closures for Spicewood Springs and Old Spicewood Springs • Residents trapped in between crossings on Spicewood Springs and needed rescue • 5 flooded structures • 170 Service Requests • Reconnaissance teams investigated areas with high intensity rainfall • Over 500 tons of debris removed from drainage system Investments to Date Historical Spending • Bond funds used towards 50 stormwater projects since 2001 • Total 114 flood projects have completed phases, costing approximately $567M • Funding sources include GO bonds, cash transfer from drainage charge revenue, and grants • Remaining 2018 Bond funds will be spent down by end of 2026 Challenges • Price escalations for construction after the pandemic • As Austin becomes more compact and connected there is little open space available for drainage detention, escalating project costs • Lower number of grant funding opportunities Current Needs • See proposed budget needs and flood risk reduction projects included in the 2026 bond package • We have over $2B worth of need • Many projects are ready for construction but need funding Questions?