Wilco receives $1 milion for flood-warning system Texas Water Development Board provides county grant
GEORGETOWN — Williamson County has received a $1 million grant to enhance flood-warning systems in the wake of last summer’s deadly deluge.
The welcome news surfaced at the Tuesday Commissioners Court session.
The Texas Water Development Board awarded the county grant funding to support planning, purchasing and installation of outdoor flood-warning sirens and related equipment for flash-flood prone areas, officials said.
Thirty counties declared a state of emergency after the July 4 floods that killed 137 people, including three deaths in Williamson County.
Each county will receive at least $1 million with Kerr County, the hardest hit during the July disaster with 119 deaths, getting an even larger share.
Bruce Clements, Williamson County director of emergency management, told commissioners Feb. 10 the county plans to purchase outdoor warning sirens, flood gauges or sensors and communication software to use for testing and training.
“It’s a holistic system. It’s not just buying a siren, it’s buying the detection equipment, the coordination piece of that, as well as the siren,” Clements said.
He added the county will identify locations to place the warning systems using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Leverage Atlas 14 data, which provides frequency estimates of rainwater depth and intensity.
The county will also view historical information and make plans for the most vulnerable in flood-prone areas. “We will consider things like ingress and egress routes, who needs to know sooner so they can evacuate their area and be safe. We’ll look at the whole picture and develop a proposal,” Clements said.
When the proposal is complete, Clements will present it to both the water board and the commissioners. The deadline is Dec. 31.
Commissioners next meet 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
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“It’s a holistic system.”
— Bruce Clements, Williamson County director of emergency management
