Source: Texas Water Development Board
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is pleased to announce the development and launch of TexasFlood.org. The website will serve as a centralized location for flood-related data and information on what to do before, during, and after a flooding event.
The website will serve as a one-stop shop for statewide stream gage, weather, radar, and precipitation data. The data will be featured on an interactive map, making access to data on rising rivers, streams, and reservoirs more easily accessible to Texans. The TWDB will continue to add more data to the website in the coming months. The site’s launch features the first phase of TexasFlood.org.
“We have a responsibility to provide timely and accurate information during floods so that Texans can protect their families and their property,” Sen. Kirk Watson, Dist. 14, said. “The devastating flooding in Wimberley last year showed what can happen in the face of no information. The investment in new flood gages and other infrastructure is just the beginning of what I hope to be a renewed state commitment to flood preparedness.”
During the 2015 legislative session, Watson authored an amendment that directed funding to the Disaster Contingency Account. In November, Gov. Gregg Abbott authorized the transfer of $6.8 million from that account to the TWDB to develop a high-tech network of stream gages and to provide additional technical assistance and outreach for floodplain management and planning.
The TWDB has installed or flood hardened flood gages in flash flood alley that are already reporting data to TexasFlood.org. The TWDB will continue to identify other areas in need of gages and make installations throughout the year.
TexasFlood.org will also feature weather information that will help the National Weather Service in its flood forecasting. In addition, the TWDB made enhancements to the Water Data for Texas website by adding river or stream flood stage information to the lake levels page.
Earlier this spring, the TWDB issued a $2 million Request for Applications for communities to apply for grants to implement early warning systems or develop flood response measures. Applications are due to the TWDB by June 17, 2016.
“The importance of early warning systems and flood response measures cannot be emphasized enough,” said TWDB Chairman Bech Bruun. “We hope that communities will accept the call and apply for funding through the TWDB. Both the community grants and many public resources found on TexasFlood.org were made available with all Texans in mind to better assist during times of flood.”
TexasFlood.org is mobile friendly and can be viewed on mobile phones or handheld tablets. For more information, please visit www.TexasFlood.org.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state’s water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.