Burnet removes local state of disaster following July floods; reconstruction efforts continue
Several homes at the southern end of Oak Street in Burnet were destroyed in the July 5 flooding, many of which are situated near Hamilton Creek’s floodplain. File photo
The Burnet City Council voted to remove the local state of disaster following the devastating July 4 floods at a Tuesday, Jan. 27, meeting. Following the floods, the city has worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on reimbursement for reconstruction projects, and will look to continue those efforts throughout 2026.
City officials told the council that Burnet had concluded all work in the emergency response phases of the flood repairs, meaning the state of disaster could be terminated. The city still has significant work to do regarding actual repairs, with 17 open reconstruction projects still active with FEMA.
“All of the emergency response phases have concluded in relation to the flood event,” Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett said at the meeting. “But we’ll continue through the (reconstruction) process as we recover and request funds through FEMA.”
Burnet’s 17 FEMA projects include efforts to clean up waterways, restore the irrigation systems of the Delaware Springs Golf Course, and repair the Galloway-Hammond ballfields, dugouts and restrooms.
Per FEMA rules, cities that declare a local state of disaster are given up to six months to complete emergency work to receive reimbursement, with all permanent work to be completed within 18 months. Once all work is complete, FEMA may reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible recovery costs through disaster assistance funding.
At a previous council meeting, Assistant City Manager McBurnett was candid about the city facing a lengthy recovery process, as FEMA requires thorough documentation and verification to provide reimbursements, but he assured the council that good progress was being made ahead of the 18-month deadline in January 2027.
“I can’t stand here today and tell you that every project will be completed by the (January 2027) deadline, but FEMA understands that this process takes time,” McBurnett said. “But, we do have some projects in which we have already finished the construction, repair, and renovation.”
For more information regarding the FEMA disaster declaration and assistance process, visit their website.