Marble Falls secures funding for flood warning system
A low water crossing in the Marble Falls area on Fairland Road following a heavy rain event. Staff photo by Maci Cottingham.
Marble Falls is installing early flood warning systems at low water crossings along major city roadways after receiving a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The project will see nine flood warning systems installed at low water crossings throughout the city. The equipment will track rising creek levels, activate flashing warning signs when roads become unsafe and provide real-time data to city staff and regional flood monitoring networks during severe weather events.
The project is being funded through a FEMA program made available following the COVID-19 disaster declaration. The grant totals $927,110, with a local match of 10 percent. FEMA will contribute $834,399, while the City of Marble Falls will contribute $92,711. The deal was approved by the City Council during its May 2 meeting.
The warning systems will be installed at S. Yett Street at Whitman Branch; Commerce Street at Whitman Branch Creek; Main Street at Broadway; Avenue L at Broadway; the 1300 block of Broadway; Mission Hill at Whitman Branch Creek; 2nd Street at Westside Park; Avenue J in Johnson Park at Backbone Creek; and Broadway at Backbone Creek.
Previously, city staff monitored low water crossings manually during heavy rain events.
“As of right now, we just send guys out. They have kind of a list that they know which low water crossings flood first, and they start checking them when the rains get that heavy or when they get a call,” Marble Falls Emergency Management Coordinator Amanda Carlisle said in the meeting.
The system will not only help drivers avoid flooded roadways but will also provide data used by regional flood forecasters and emergency managers. The installed gauges will integrate with the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Hydromet system and the ATX Floods platform, supporting flood forecasting, weather warnings and public updates on road conditions and closures.
“The system is going to help reduce confusion, hopefully enhance compliance with the road closures and support faster decision making by personnel,” Carlisle said.
The award also includes funding for grant administration and project management, which city officials said will be handled by Langford Community Management Services. Those costs, up to $46,355.50, are covered entirely by the federal grant and do not require a local match.