WEATHER EMERGENCIES AND PREPAREDNESS

Freezing, flooding and multiple water shutdowns have deeply impacted the people of Austin and District 5. During my years with the District 5 Office, I helped lead efforts to keep seniors safe during the terrible Winter Storm of 2021. With neighbors, I delivered water and supplies to older adults and our neighbors with limited mobility. I also worked with firefighters and Austin Water to deliver water to apartment communities and fix broken pipes and connections.

I also led recovery and prevention efforts for Onion Creek, as neighbors dealt with the impacts of the devastating 2015 Halloween flood. Over the past almost 7 years, I have helped this neighborhood recover, secure funding for voluntary buy-outs of damaged homes and those at risk of future flooding, and work with the city to manage green space created by the buy-outs. I will continue to work with neighbors to push for long term solutions to reduce the risk of future flooding.

No one wants to experience another disaster. The city must prepare for weather emergencies - winter storms, flooding, drought, and fire. I will:

• Promote city programs to help neighbors prepare for weather emergencies - with safety education and resources like water shutoff tools
• Accelerate action items identified in Emergency Management, Water, and Energy Department After Action Reports
• Complete the Austin Resilience Hub Network - physical facilities that offer day-to-day services and support the community before, during, and after a disaster
• Include strategies to reduce future flood risk from Onion and Williamson creeks in the Austin Watershed’s Rain to River Strategic Plan
• Make sure businesses and residences next to wildland areas are protected from wildfire:
  • Promote Firewise principles for Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) neighborhoods along Barton Creek Greenbelt, Mary Moore Searight Park, and other parks and preserves
  • When increasing density in WUI neighborhoods - address impact on evacuation routes
• Accelerate Water Forward - the city’s 100 year plans for water supply and demand management