BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON
Flood recovery efforts continue for Travis County
Austin to leave sister city program Austin will be forced to exit its nearly three-decade-long cultural and economic partnership with a southern Chinese prefec- ture under a new state law passed this spring. The big picture Austin keeps up several international rela- tionships through its Sister and Friendship Cities Program, meant to support the city’s presence on the global stage. A new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 20 will require Austin to withdraw from its longtime partnership with Xish- uangbanna, China, this fall by Oct. 1. House Bill 128 from state Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca, will ban Texas sister city programs involving “foreign adversary” nations, effective in September.
County commissioners extended a local disaster declaration in July after deadly flooding left uprooted trees, wrecked homes and washed up debris across parts of Northwest Travis County over the Fourth of July weekend. “This is going to be a long recovery,” commis- sioner Ann Howard said. The update Travis County Judge Andy Brown emphasized the critical role of emergency responders in saving lives during the floods after search and rescue teams were deployed July 8, after several deaths and missing persons were confirmed in the county. Recovery kits and other resources were made available to flood victims in the aftermath. Moving forward As floodwaters recede, Brown noted that work will begin shifting to long-term recovery. County executives from the Office of Emergency Management and other involved department
Floods damaged Sandy Creek Bridge in Leander, prompting a new temporary crossing.
SAM SCHAFFER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
heads highlighted several resources available for residents impacted. Commissioners approved an immediate transfer of $4 million from the emergency reserve to provide liquid funding for immediate needs in the area. Additionally, commissioners approved a motion that eliminates permitting fees for those seeking to rebuild.
Austin's Commercial Cleaning Service
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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