Burnet County to get flood warning sirens
Burnet County will use $1 million in state funding to establish a series of early-warning sirens around the county to combat the effects of flood events. Staff photo
Burnet County government will bolster its flood prevention in tandem with state agencies and the Texas Water Development Board by establishing a series of flood warning sirens across the county in the wake of the July 4 floods.
Burnet County will use $1 million in state funding to build an outdoor warning siren system across waterways that the TWDB deems flash flood-prone areas. The county is currently in the planning phase with the TWDB, awaiting surveys on waterways to determine exact siren placements.
The project’s funding is part of a grant program included in Senate Bill 3, passed in September 2025, which sought to build warning systems in areas with historic flooding.
“(Senate Bill) 3 requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to identify areas that have a history of severe flooding, as well as other relevant factors such as loss of human life to flooding and the existence of residences or other dwellings in flood-prone areas,” a passage from the bill analysis reads. “Upon identifying these key areas, TWDB will direct the municipality or county on where to install outdoor warning siren systems.”
The grant was presented to the Burnet County Commissioners Court at a meeting on Dec. 23, and was signed soon after.
Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson told DailyTrib that state officials had begun relaying the specific rules and regulations associated with the grant money a few weeks ago, prompting discussions with state and local agencies.
Burnet County government has since held a meeting with the TWDB, Lower Colorado River Authority, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, and other stakeholders to establish a plan for the system’s installation.
For more information on Senate Bill 3 and its effects on Burnet County and beyond, visit the Texas Legislature’s webpage on the bill.