County Judge Signs Disaster Declaration For Travis County In Flood's Wake

AUSTIN, TX -- Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday signed a disaster declaration for Travis County in the wake of flooding that occurred in late May.

"The declaration requests assistance in helping residents and cities recover from the damage sustained from heavy rains on May 27, 2016," County Judge Eckhardt said in a statement.

The declaration covers all incorporated cities within Travis County, she said.

"While damage assessments are ongoing, the figures submitted to the state are preliminary and will be updated as more information is received," Eckhardt said.

A formal declaration of assistance sets the stage for affected residents to become eligible for federal and state assistance.

Heavy rains descended on the county May 26 and extended in earnest into May 27, wreaking havoc on area roadways. Austin-Travis County EMS officials, STAR Flight medics and other emergency first responders were busier than usual during the time span -- even by their usually busy standards.

Recent rains in the past few days have only added to the woes, creating flooding conditions even after just a few inches given the already-saturated soil that makes for flash flooding conditions to occur.

Other government officials have made disaster declarations previously, including Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape, who declared his county a disaster area, and Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed a declaration naming 31 counties as disaster areas on June 1.

While the rains have since subsided, the after-effects of heavy rainfall continue to be felt. Two people have died at Barton Creek and Barton Springs Pool in recent days as a result of deceptively strong and treacherous currents fed by excess rainfall.

Additionally, officials have implemented boating bans at various waterways as a result of heavy, flood-induced debris still in the waterways days after the deluge. Just a few days ago, officials banned recreational boating at Lake Travis for that reason.

It should be noted that both Barton Creek and Barton Springs Pool were closed at the time of the pair of deaths that occurred there.