City of Austin Council Message Board

All

I have been consulting with neighborhood representatives on flood mitigation issues, particularly for the Onion Creek and Williamson Creek areas in District 5. As is painfully apparent today, this is a very serious issue for all of Austin.

I will be reaching out to my colleagues to discuss creating a special Task Force to deal with flood mitiation and related issues. Please let me know if you are interested in working with me, as I craft language to bring to Council.

Thank you and wishing a safe rest of the weekend for you and your constituents

Portions of two primary watersheds north of the river run through District 7. Shoal Creek jumped its banks where it always does .... and Walnut Creek was running high. I would be interested in joining the conversation. I went out to check the creeks a couple times today and one positive take-away was the absence of loose debris, junked cars or appliances, and tree limbs coming down the creeks. From the vantage points where I viewed it, the water was running fast and high, but was free of obstacles. I remember hearing about the dead cow that washed up in Barton Creek in the flood of 1981.

Council Member Houston would like to suggest that we hold a briefing and assessment of public need relating to flood control/mitigation from the Watershed Department, Public Works and Austin Water Utility at the next or a near future council meeting before forming a Task Force in order to better understand the technical aspects and challenges on a city-wide scale.