Today, May 28, 2015, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt signed a disaster declaration for Travis County due to the flooding that occurred during the Memorial Day Weekend. The declaration requests assistance in helping residents and cities recover from the damage sustained from heavy rains on May 23, 2015, and May 25, 2015.
The disaster declaration covers all incorporated cities in Travis County. While damage assessments are ongoing, the figures submitted to the State are preliminary and will be updated as more information is received. During the flooding, there was one fatality in Travis County, and emergency responders conducted approximately 70 water rescues.
With the Travis County declaration, municipalities, including the City of Austin, can apply for state and federal financial assistance. Cities do not have to make an individual disaster declaration if the County makes a declaration, and the Governor amends the State Emergency Disaster Proclamations to include Travis County.
The County declaration, and any subsequent Emergency Disaster Proclamations, would only apply to recent flooding.
