Texas flooding: Austin extends waterway ban due to continued floodgate operations
Austin waterway ban extended again
The City of Austin has extended its waterway ban until 5 p.m. on July 25, due to continued floodgate operations. This comes after the Texas Hill Country experienced historic flooding last week.
AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin has extended its waterway ban due to continued floodgate operations.
This comes after the Texas Hill Country experienced historic flooding last week.
Featured
Texas Hill Country recovers from flooding that killed 2 as heavy rain continues elsewhere
A long recovery begins after historic South Central Texas rains trigger widespread Texas Hill Country flooding, leaving two dead in Kerr and Uvalde counties.
What they're saying:
According to the City of Austin, a waterway ban went into effect immediately starting Friday, July 17.
Now, as of Thursday, July 23, the ban has been extended until Saturday, July 25, at 5 p.m.
Officials said the extended waterway ban was necessary because higher and faster flows are expected to continue. Multiple floodgates will remain open at Tom Miller Dam to pass through waters from Mansfield Dam.
Austin Water will keep floodgates at Longhorn Dam open until flow from Tom Miller Dam slows to a point where current flood operations can be safely scaled back.
Why you should care:
The ban is to keep Austinites and visitors safe due to recent flooding. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) anticipates faster flows and increased debris in the water.
Those conditions will make recreational, commercial, and navigational use of the Austin waterways unsafe. Personal and commercial watercraft, wet bikes, motorized surfboards, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other similar devices are not allowed on the following waterways in Austin:
- Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam
- Lady Bird Lake
- Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam
The City of Austin said Austinites and visitors should also avoid riverfront trails, which may also be unsafe due to flooding.
Texas Hill Country flooding
Texas floods: Kerr County begins cleanup
Recovery efforts are ongoing in Kerr County. The county received 20 inches of rain over the past few days, which led to lots of flooding.
The backstory:
The Texas Hill Country experienced historic flooding last week. Gov. Abbott said two people have died: one victim in Kerr County and another victim in Uvalde County.
According to Gov. Greg Abbott, state teams have rescued 270 people while local teams have rescued more than 300.
Texas flooding: How to help
Featured
Texas Flooding: How to help the flood victims
Several Texas organizations have opened donation channels to support flood recovery efforts and pet rescue operations after severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
If you want to volunteer for recovery efforts, click here.
If you want to donate to help out, click here.
The Source: Information from the City of Austin and previous FOX 7 Austin coverage