Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | April 2026

Environment

BY CHLOE YOUNG

Provisional flash flood risk areas There were a number of provisional flash flood hazard areas approved March 3. Travis County awarded $1M state grant to install flood sirens would likely be exposed to flooding, including camps, RV grounds and parks, Green said. Other factors considered included building footprints, population estimates and historical records of past flash floods, she said. The backstory Waterways Buildings at moderate to high risk Youth camps RV parks

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved an award agreement for at least $1 mil- lion in funding from the Texas Water Development Board at a March 24 meeting. The grant is a part of the state’s $50 million effort to fund the installa- tion of flood warning siren systems in counties impacted by the July 4-5 flooding. The details The $1 million grant is expected to cover the installation of outdoor warning siren systems, including flood gauges, in Travis County. The sirens must be located in areas the TWDB has identified as being prone to flash flooding. The TWDB approved provisional flash flood haz- ard areas at the March 3 meeting and was expected to work with affected counties on a final map detailing where warning sirens would be warranted, TWDB Division Director Dena Green said. The board identified high-risk areas based on environmental conditions and where people

Central Texas was impacted by catastrophic flooding on the weekend of July 4, resulting in more than 130 fatalities, according to previous Community Impact reporting. In Travis County, there were 10 deaths and 80 homes destroyed from the disaster, according to Travis County information. Flooding in the Sandy Creek neighborhood in northwest Travis County resulted in multiple deaths. The devastation prompted state lawmakers to enact new laws related to flood safety in the 2025 legislative session. To receive the grant funding, county officials are working to create and submit a project plan to the TWDB board by Dec. 31.

LAKE TRAVIS

COLORADO RIVER

360

71

2244

71

290

MOPAC

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SOURCE: TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

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