Hi neighbors—please see the second section. Due to the worsening severe
drought, Austin is now in Stage 2 water restrictions.
Cheers,
Katy
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*News from the City of Austin, Texas*
------------------------------
*City of Austin Reiterates Heat Safety & Wildfire Prevention Efforts*
Aug 15, 2023 05:37 pm
*City of Austin Reiterates Heat Safety & Wildfire Prevention Efforts* *Mayor
Kirk Watson signs wildfire disaster declaration*
City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown held a
press conference Tuesday afternoon along with leadership from multiple
public safety departments to discuss the continued excessive heat and the
critical wildfire risk for the area.
During the press conference, all leaders shared operational readiness
updates and steps the public can take to play their part in preventing
wildfire. Mayor Watson and Judge Brown also indicated they have each issued
a disaster declaration for their respective jurisdictions for wildfire.
"A disaster declaration helps us to be further prepared in the event of a
wildfire and the damage that results from it, the declaration allows us to
move quickly and access the necessary resources to help us recover," said
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. "But the most important thing we can do today is
to prepare and do everything we can to prevent a wildfire from happening in
the first place."
Austin ranks sixth in the nation for number of homes at risk of wildfire.
These disasters can happen anywhere, and local officials want to ensure the
community is as prepared as possible to face the threats presented by
wildfire and extreme heat.
Recent hot, dry weather has placed Austin at critical risk of wildfire.
This stretch of more than 30 consecutive days of 100-degree heat without
any measurable rain exacerbates the wildfire risk.
Austin Fire Department Chief Joel Baker emphasized that 90% of wildfires
are caused by humans, and the public plays a huge part in not only
preventing wildfire but also keeping themselves safe by being prepared.
“It’s extremely important right now to avoid things that can cause a spark.
The grass, brush, and other vegetation are incredibly dry right now,” Chief
Baker said. “Do you know what to do and what to take with you if there is a
wildfire in our area and you must evacuate? Now is the time to prepare!”
Chief Baker directed the public to familiarize itself with the Ready, Set,
Go! program that provides information on how to prepare for each stage of a
wildfire event and what actions to take with each one.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Ken Snipes stressed the
importance for members of the public to be proactive in protecting their
homes, property, and family and help those who are unable to help
themselves.
Director Snipes encouraged members of the public with special medical needs
or physical limitations to register for the State of Texas Emergency
Assistance Registry (STEAR). The free registry provides local emergency
planners and emergency responders with additional information on the needs
of our community.
“Now is the time to meet your neighbors. Check on friends and family,
especially our older community members or those who may be more
vulnerable,” Snipes said. “It is important for anyone with disabilities to
register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry. We can best
support those who are most vulnerable if we know in advance where you are
and what resources you may need.”
*Resources: *
Watch Press Conference: English
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City of Austin Emergency Declaration of Disaster
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State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)
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Ready, Set, Go! Personal Action Guide
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Warn Central Texas Emergency Alerts
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------------------------------
*Austin Enters Stage 2 of Drought Contingency Plan*
Aug 15, 2023 08:15 am
(Austin)—The combined storage level of water in Lakes Travis and Buchanan
has dropped below 900,000 acre-feet and Austin’s Stage 2 watering
restrictions are now in effect and enforceable. Austin Water is following
its Council-approved Drought Contingency Plan that was developed with
community input. Austin’s drought stage restrictions are more stringent
than restrictions enacted in many other neighboring communities.
*Stage 2 Watering Restrictions Summary*
- Automatic irrigation and hose-end watering is restricted to one day
per week.
- Automatic irrigation runtime is reduced by 3 hours with cutoff at 5
a.m. instead of 8 a.m.
- Water waste is prohibited.
- Restaurants may serve water only upon request.
- Charity car washes are prohibited, and home car washing must use an
auto-shut-off valve or a bucket.
- Patio misters at commercial properties, including restaurants and
bars, may operate only between 4 p.m. and midnight.
- Large ornamental fountains can no longer be operated.
- New landscape-establishment irrigation is no longer exempt from the
watering schedule.
Austin Water will continue its investigations of reported non-compliance
received via Austin 3-1-1 and water waste patrols. Failing to follow
watering restrictions could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
To report a violation, call 3-1-1 or use the 3-1-1 mobile app.
Customers with questions about these new rules should contact
WaterCon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. For complete details about the Austin Water
drought response, visit *austinwater.org*
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------------------------------
*72 People Moved from Central Austin Homeless Encampment to City-Owned
Shelter*
Aug 15, 2023 07:54 am
[image: 72 People Moved from Central Austin Homeless Encampment to
City-Owned Shelter]
The City of Austin and partners have compassionately closed the West
Bouldin Creek area encampment. A total of 72 unhoused residents and
approximately 15 pets were relocated from the encampment to the City-owned
Southbridge shelter as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance
Link (HEAL) Initiative.
HEAL carries out the closures of homeless encampments that pose the highest
public health and safety risks. Preparation for the closure has
included *doubling
capacity at the City’s Southbridge Shelter*
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to accommodate additional HEAL program participants. People experiencing
homelessness at the West Bouldin Creek area encampment site were offered
transfer to shelter, and connection to housing resources.
The encampment has been formally declared closed, and a work zone has been
designated while an extensive cleanup process is underway. The clean-up
effort, which is expected to take several weeks, is being organized by the
Parks and Recreation Department with substantial support from Austin
Resource Recovery, the Austin Police Department, and a private contractor.
“The HEAL Initiative gives us a concrete way to combat homelessness in our
community and provide the resolution of unsheltered encampments that pose
the greatest risks for the community,” said City of Austin Homeless
Strategy Officer Dianna Grey.
Since HEAL began in June of 2021, 618 people have voluntarily moved from
high-risk encampments to the City’s Southbridge and Northbridge shelters.
Successful sheltering and resolution of the West Bouldin Creek encampment
was a collaborative effort. The Austin Public Health Department’s Homeless
Strategy Division is working closely with the Homeless Outreach Street Team
(HOST), the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Resource
Recovery, the Austin Police Department and other community partners.
The HEAL Initiative
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is one element of the City’s broader efforts to address homelessness.
To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit
www.austintexas.gov/homelessness
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------------------------------
More to read:
Austin Mobility News: Cool pavement, hot weather.
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Minority and Small Business Connection Conference
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APD Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting on August 6, 2023
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Traffic Fatality in the 300 block of South Congress Avenue
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Homicide Investigation in the 7900 block of Lee Hill Drive
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For more City of Austin news releases, visit AustinTexas.gov
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