City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown declared local states of disaster Tuesday as the National Weather Service forecast multiple rounds of heavy rainfall and a continuing Flood Watch for Travis County through the evening of Thursday, July 16, 2026. The declarations are intended to speed coordination of resources and emergency response as conditions evolve.
What the declarations enable
City and county officials said the declarations allow them to take proactive steps to prepare for potential flooding, strengthen emergency response, and coordinate services with state and federal partners. The measures include mobilizing personnel, pre-positioning equipment, and streamlining communications with affected communities.
- Declaration effective immediately and will remain in effect until rescinded by officials.
- Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts and warnings and to sign up for emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.
- Areas near creeks, streams, rivers and low-water crossings are especially vulnerable to flash flooding.
Mayor Watson said the declaration will let the city “quickly organize our resources and respond to any disaster event that might occur,” noting the move was coordinated with Judge Brown. Judge Brown emphasized readiness as well:
“When our community faces an emergency, we act. This disaster declaration ensures that we can respond immediately and marshal every available resource in the event of flash floods threatening Travis County.”
Timing and local impacts
The National Weather Service forecast called for heavy rainfall overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, July 15, which could produce dangerous flooding. Officials specifically warned that low-water crossings and riparian corridors could see rapid rises in water levels. The declarations enable faster mutual aid requests and resource allocation should rescues, road closures or evacuations become necessary.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Flood watch | In effect for Travis County through Thursday, July 16, 2026, evening |
| Who declared | Mayor Kirk Watson; Travis County Judge Andy Brown |
| Resident action | Monitor local forecasts; sign up for WarnCentralTexas alerts; enable phone emergency notifications |
Officials urged residents who have not registered for emergency communications to do so immediately and to enable emergency notifications on their phones. Updates will be posted on official city and county social media channels and the National Weather Service accounts.
For Austin and Travis County, the declarations are a preventive legal and operational step to concentrate resources quickly if flooding develops. In recent years, Central Texas flash floods have produced sudden, localized impacts — from submerged roadways to emergency water rescues — making early coordination critical for public safety and infrastructure protection.
