In her first move on City Council, new member Vanessa Fuentes authored a resolution directing the city to provide an update on its flood resilience plans. “Often in my community it’s not a matter of if the next big flood happens, but when the next big flood happens,” Fuentes said. “It is essential that this […]
Onion Creek floodplain
The Onion Creek floodplain includes portions of southeast Austin and Travis County. Homeowners in the area suffered a major catastrophe in late October, 2013 when the region suffered massive flooding. Both the City of Austin and Travis County are engaged in efforts to buyout homeowners.
Posted inParks
One year later: The new life of the old Onion Creek flood plain
Since 1999, the city of Austin has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to buy homeowners out of the Onion Creek flood zone. Last year, when the Watershed Protection Department completed the buyout program, 813 houses had been removed out of harm’s way. Although 10 homeowners refused the buyout offer, Leah Gibson […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Years after deadly storms, city still lacks comprehensive flood policy
In the wake of devastating flooding over Memorial Day Weekend in 2015, City Council established the 22-member Flood Mitigation Task Force to examine the city’s flood preparedness and come up with a list of recommendations for how to better prepare for the next major flood event – an eventuality in what is known as flash […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Transportation
District 2 candidates battle to champion Southeast
Three candidates vying to represent Southeast Austin agree — the district has long been ignored and needs a voice on City Council. District 2 covers much of Southeast Austin, including the Dove Springs and Onion Creek neighborhoods and the area surrounding Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The district is unique in that more than 60 percent […]
Posted inElections, Resources
No ballot question on Onion Creek buyout
The question of whether Austin should buy out 240 at-risk homes in the Onion Creek floodplain will not go before voters in November. During a special called meeting Friday, Austin City Council voted 5-1 against putting the buyout proposal on the November ballot via public improvement bonds. Council Member Chris Riley said the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Environmental Board rejects fee hike for buyouts
A plan to finance Onion Creek home buyouts through an increase in the city’s drainage utility fee found no support at the Environmental Board last week. Board members asked City Council members to find another way. In a resolution passed Wednesday, Environmental Board members asked that Council “seriously consider utilizing the general bond option, rather […]
Posted inDevelopment, Resources
Despite ruling, city expects no immediate change to drainage fee
A judge’s ruling rendering a portion of the city’s Drainage Fee invalid could put millions of dollars worth of critical flood control and watershed protection programs at risk. State District Judge Amy Clark Meachum ruled Friday that the flat $9.20 fee charged to almost all of Austin’s utility customers was unfair to people living in […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Public Safety, Resources
Council approves funds for buyout of 140 more homes in Onion Creek
Though some relief is on the way for Halloween Flood survivors, the fact that nearly 15 percent of the funds could be spent on consultants raised some eyebrows at City Council Thursday. Council members approved all four items related to the Onion Creek buyouts but they faced some pushback from citizens concerned about the […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety, Resources
City in line for flood buyout reimbursements from Corps of Engineers
Austin City Council members got a bit of good news with regard to buyouts in the Onion Creek floodplain. The city’s governmental relations officer, John Hrncir, told Council members during Tuesday’s work session that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was likely to reimburse the city for the costs of the program dating as far […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Public Safety
Council OKs two measures to speed buyouts in flood-prone areas
More than six months have passed since Austin’s Halloween flood. At nearly 1 a.m. Friday, Onion Creek residents gathered at City Hall learned that relief may be in sight in the form of an expanded city buyout program. Two propositions were on the table. Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council […]
Posted inLocal Government, Public Safety, Resources
Community group seeks organized assistance for flood victims
A community organization called the Travis Austin Recovery Group (TARG), formed in the aftermath of the historic 2013 Halloween floods, is noting the six-month anniversary of the event with the release of a Draft Recovery Plan for the people and businesses affected by the disaster. Though copies of the plan were sent to officials […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Public Safety
Martinez proposes that city issue debt to buy out flooded homes
Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez will announce a proposal at 10 a.m. today that would have the potential of greatly accelerating buyouts for homeowners whose houses were damaged or destroyed in last year’s Halloween floods on Onion Creek. Martinez’ plan targets homes in the Onion Creek region not currently covered by the city’s […]