Estimated $34 million in infrastructure damages caused by flooding in Williamson County
Williamson County emergency management officials estimate that flooding on July 5 caused $34 million in damage to county infrastructure.
County commissioners held a special session Friday, July 11, to discuss post-flooding public health and safety concerns. Commissioners also extended the county's disaster declaration.
“After the destruction I’ve seen in Kerr County, I can’t express enough how fortunate Williamson County was, especially our cities, especially as high as that flood water got,” County Judge Steve Snell said Friday.
The $34 million figure includes damage to roads, bridges, water control facilities, utilities, parks and other county infrastructure, according to Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements.
He also said a total of 56 residential properties meet disaster standards:
- 29 homes were destroyed.
- 27 homes had major damage.
“We have been included now in the individual assistance declaration,” Mr. Clements said. “The Individual Assistance Program with FEMA includes a variety of different programs. It includes some programs that will help support people in getting their homes cleaned up.”
Williamson County Sheriff Matt Lindemann said more than 150 personnel from multiple agencies aided in the county's search and recovery efforts along the San Gabriel River. He said the sheriff's office plans to expand its swift-water rescue and drone programs, which could help during future emergencies.
Senior Director of Infrastructure Bob Daigh said that three county roads are still closed.
Severe damage occurred at two low-water crossings between Baghdad Road and County Road 279 on the county's west side. County crews reopened those crossings on Sunday.
“The materials that we’re able to use to do those emerging fixes are temporary materials, and we will need to go back,” Mr. Daigh said. “You will see us having to close those locations in the future and do permanent repairs. But, our goal was to get emergency vehicles and the public utilizing those facilities as quickly as possible.”
As of publication, the July 5 floods have claimed three lives in Wilco.
Two of the deaths occurred in Liberty Hill. Mayor Crystal Mancilla said the flood was the first disaster she's experienced as the city's leader and that she witnessed recovery efforts firsthand.
“Liberty Hill gathers in a way that I’ve never seen before,” she told commissioners during public comment Friday. “When there’s a need, and you put out [a call], you will have more than enough [and] you better expect it to happen quick.”
Looking ahead
Ms. Mancilla said Liberty Hill's next recovery step is cleanup, including debris and damage disposal. She asked the county to provide landfill vouchers to help cover costs.
“We have all the dumpsters in the world, I’ve got everything,” she said to the commissioners. “It was the one request that I was going to be asking the county to see if they could help our community in this one way.”
During the special meeting, commissioners approved landfill vouchers totaling up to $200,000 for the following:
- The 58 damaged or destroyed properties
- The City of Liberty Hill
- The Hope House nonprofit
At the state level, Representative Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said the lieutenant governor and speaker of the Texas House have formed a select committee on disaster preparedness and flooding as part of Governor Greg Abbott's special legislative session. The legislative session is scheduled to begin July 21.
She said the committee will examine flood warning systems, emergency communication, disaster recovery funding and preparation strategies. The first hearing will be held July 23 at the Capitol. A second hearing will take place in Kerrville, where flood damage was most severe.
“I want to make sure that I learn as much as I can about Williamson County and the needs that we have so that I can be a good representative at the state level and also at the federal level,” she said. “Just to make sure that we have all the resources here that we need.”
In the meantime, Mr. Clements said FEMA will establish disaster resource centers in the county to assist residents. Later, the Small Business Administration will offer low-interest disaster loans to affected business owners.
County commissioners will hold their next meeting Tuesday, July 15, where they will discuss landfill vouchers in greater detail.
“The goal and the purpose is to take care of our community during this disaster,” Judge Snell said. “We don’t want to increase their frustration as well with things they’re not thinking about.”