The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved the areas identified as having a history of consistent or severe flooding, or are at risk of flash flooding, and may warrant the installation, maintenance, and operation of one or more outdoor warning sirens within the 30 counties affected by Senate Bill 3 (SB 3). The board approved this at their March 3rd meeting.
Areas identified as flash flood hazard risk areas can be found through a TWDB developed online mapping tool.
Counties can request revisions to the identified areas based on 1) changed conditions, inaccuracies, or information not available during development of the flash flood risk area maps; or 2) proper justification showing that an outdoor warning siren is not warranted in a particular area based on local knowledge.
Once identified areas are finalized, SB 3 requires the appropriate municipality or county to install, maintain, and operate an outdoor warning siren system, including all components essential to the system’s functionality. The Flash Flood Warning Siren Guide outlines all requirements systems must meet as well as broader recommendations.
The full press release can be found here.
A link to the HillCo Partners’ hearing report on the TWDB March 3rd hearing can be accessed here.
