3 weeks Ago By Margaret Grigsby
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Spring in Central Texas brings mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, but springtime also holds the potential for severe weather, especially flooding.Leaders from multiple departments are asking Travis County residents to plan now for a rainy day which could potentially turn to a dangerous situation.La Niña is over: What that means for spring rainDuring a press briefing Tuesday at City Hall, officials from Austin’s emergency management, water management, fire, EMS, police and energy departments, along with Travis County’s Emergency Management Department highlighted the greatest severe weather risks for residents.
Travis County Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter said the biggest threat is flooding. "Let this be a reminder. When it rains, it rains a lot," Carter said.
FORECAST: KXAN First Warning WeatherRising water and flash floods can damage property, spread disease and presents risk for electrocution and drowning.Officials urged city and county residents to sign up for severe weather alerts through warncentraltexas.org.
They also said to take steps like forming an evacuation plan and preparing a kit of essential items.Check here for a complete list of KXAN First Warning Weather’s guides and resources.Austin Watershed Protection Department Director Jorge Morales said, "Austin is Flash Flood Alley," adding that flash floods will happen quickly and without warning.
How you can help the National Weather Service gather vital weather information in Central TexasMorales highlighted websites where residents may view resources for evacuation planning, flood preparedness and evaluating your risk. In addition to planning, officials said they use the Flood Early Warning System, which allows them to determine when and where floods might occur, and then alert the public to dangerous conditions, road closures, and more.Throughout the press briefing, city and county leaders repeated a single message in hopes residents would heed their warning: "Turn around, don't drown.
" "We're all going to take a moment to repeat that," Carter said. "Just six inches of water can knock you off your feet, and 12 inches to carry away a car."Morales added that the most deaths related to a flooding emergency happen inside cars rather than anywhere else.
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