Burnet completes first five closings in multimillion-dollar flood buyout program
A damaged entryway of a home near Oak Street, which was severely affected during the July 2025 flood, in Burnet. Staff photo by Caden Senn
Burnet has completed the first five property closings under a major, multimillion-dollar flood relief program, marking a major step toward helping 13 property owners recover from the July 2025 flood.
The city-led program has been in the works since at least August 2025 when staff reportedly contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the wake of the flooding to inquire about its Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP).
At its core, the EWPP, which was approved by Burnet City Council in April, set aside more than $5.7 million in funding to assist in purchasing properties that were heavily impacted by the flood within city limits.
After over six months of additional engineering, inspection, and appraisal work, City Manager David Vaughn shared on Thursday, Oct. 15, that offers had been officially accepted by the owners of 13 affected properties, five of which the city has already closed on.
“These closings are allowing people who have lived with the uncertainty and risk of future flooding to move forward,” he said. “Several are now in a position to purchase homes outside of the floodway or floodplain and begin the next chapter without having to worry about whether another major rain event will put their home at risk.”
It was noted on several occasions that Burnet was the first municipality in Texas to initiate a flood buyout with the NRCS, meaning that multiple forms, procedures, and records had to be created by scratch, lengthening the recovery process.
Vaughn emphasized those struggles.
“It has been a long process, and I know it has required a great deal of patience from the property owners involved,” he said. “That is why seeing the first five closings completed is so meaningful. Most importantly, it means families affected by the flooding are beginning to put that experience behind them and move toward a safer future.”
With closings on all 13 properties expected to be finished by November, the city will work to get final clearance to demolish the structures that sit upon the properties, permanently converting them into open spaces that cannot be rebuilt upon.
More on the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program
The NRCS’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program has assisted the city in purchasing properties that were heavily damaged in the July 2025 flood. Each of these properties are located along one of the city’s several floodplains, and are considered prone to future flood damage.
The program’s funding was estimated not to exceed $5.75 million total, with the NRCS funding around $4.4 million (75 percent), and the city funding around $1.35 million (25 percent).
The city initially reached out to the NRCS about the program in August 2025 and landed on a funding agreement on March 31, 2026.
Burnet was the first city in the state to initiate a flood buyout with the NRCS, meaning that all forms, procedures, and records had to be created from scratch by both parties.
Coupled with governmental red tape and multiple shutdowns, the entire flood recovery process has taken a significant amount of time.
The city is still well in the process of recovery as well, with several park rehab projects, street reconstructions, and flood mitigation upgrades underway for the foreseeable future.
Previous flood recovery reporting
- “Burnet considers buyouts for high-flood-risk properties,” Aug. 29, 2025
- “FEMA aid available for remaining flood debris cleanup,” Oct. 21, 2025
- “Burnet removes local state of disaster following July floods; reconstruction efforts continue,” Jan. 28, 2026
- “Burnet County to get flood warning sirens,” Feb. 19, 2026
- “Hamilton Creek playscape reopens as flood recovery progresses,” March 2, 2026
- “Burnet leaders talk flood recovery, bond package at state of the community,” March 5 2026
- “Burnet approves major flood buyout program with NRCS,” April 8, 2026
- “Burnet to participate in flood study, contribute to state flood plan,” April 23, 2026
- “Galloway-Hammond ballfields get post-flood repairs, upgrades,” May 21, 2026
- “ROAD TO RECOVERY: Burnet flood buyouts near,” June 17, 2026
- “Burnet County remembers flood victims, volunteer response,” July 14, 2026
- “Burnet moving forward with paving projects for flood-damaged road and trail,” July 30, 2026
- “Burnet eyes funding for concessions hub at Galloway-Hammond Park,” Aug. 4, 2026
- “Burnet flood buyout program nearly complete,” Sept. 15, 2026
- “Galloway-Hammond concessions hub moving forward,” Oct. 14, 2026