Austin, TX
How Austin Watershed prepares for flood events in North Austin neighborhood
CTX roads closed due to flooding
Widespread rain in Central Texas has led to the closure of numerous low water crossings.
AUSTIN, Texas – Last year, FOX 7 Austin told you about residents on Mearns Meadows Blvd. in North Austin who were frustrated because their homes flooded due to debris clogging a culvert.
While the neighborhood did not flood because of the recent rain, we checked with the Watershed Protection Department to see what they’re doing to make sure flooding doesn’t happen again.
Flooding in Hays County
Heavy rains Monday morning have led to floodwaters in yards, parks and over roads in Hays County.
MORE:
This is what they told us:
“There are many houses in the floodplain of Little Walnut Creek in the Mearns Meadow area that remain at risk of flooding. We encourage those living in a floodplain to have a plan in place in case of a flood. Residents can visit ATXFloodSafety.com to learn about flood safety and preparedness.
In the Mearns Meadow area, construction is underway on a $19.7 million project which will greatly reduce the risk of flooding for homes in the floodplain when it is completed. Residents can learn more at AustinTexas.gov/LittleWalnutCreek. We have also installed a camera along Little Walnut Creek at the Quail Valley and Mearns Meadow crossing to provide real-time channel conditions. Residents can view the camera at ATXfloods.com.
Watershed Protection proactively maintains our drainage system of pipes, ponds, ditches and creeks throughout the year. Last year, our team cleared debris from 44 miles of creeks, channels, and ditches in response to the 2023 Winter storm. This is 10 times more than previous years. This work included the Little Walnut Creek watershed in which the Mearns Meadow neighborhood is located.
Before a storm, we inspect culverts with the greatest flood risk and remove any debris present as well as make preparations to barricade flooded roadways. Watershed Protection’s Flood Earning Warning System (FEWS) monitors upcoming weather events and flows in our creeks using a citywide network of gauges, including at critical low water crossings. We have an operations team on call 24/7 who can be activated and deployed to place barricades at crossings that may overtop due to a rain event. We also have staff on call to respond to 311 calls from concerned residents related to upcoming and ongoing rain events.
Residents should always report any debris in creeks or concerns with drainage infrastructure to Austin 3-1-1.”
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
How to share a letter to the editor
Want to share your voice in the A-J? We’d love for you to contribute to the thoughtful and civil conversation. Please send us a letter to the editor by emailing us at newmedia@lubbockonline.com or through mail: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401. Please keep submissions to around 250 words or less.
-
Washington2 minutes ago
19-Year-Old Transgender University of Washington Student Fatally Stabbed
-
Wisconsin8 minutes agoSuspected human bones found in northern Wisconsin
-
West Virginia14 minutes agoWest Virginia delegate candidates in Wood County split on top issues, from manufacturing to health care rules
-
Wyoming20 minutes ago(LETTER) ‘Wyoming Advantage’ is disappearing for Gillette residents
-
Crypto26 minutes agoBitcoin Holds Above $81,500 as $135M in Leveraged Crypto Positions Get Liquidated
-
Finance32 minutes agoMorgan Stanley sees writing on wall for Citi before major change
-
Fitness38 minutes agoThis simple strength training trick builds more muscle and better technique—here’s how to try tempo training in your next home workout
-
Movie Reviews50 minutes ago‘Given Names’ is a Fascinating Exploration of Who We Are (Berlinale 2026 Film Review)
