AUSTIN – Since the devastating floods that occurred last Memorial Day, Texas has directed $6.8 million in emergency appropriations to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The purpose of these funds is to expand and improve weather-monitoring systems in order to better inform Texans of potential flood hazards.

By making flood preparedness a priority, the Texas Senate has allowed the TWDB to install a weather station and four rainfall gages that will report data to help better track rainfall. In the Wimberley area, four existing gages have also been flood-hardened and will be reporting in 15-minute intervals to better alert and predict when flooding is occurring.

This is only the beginning. I am committed to making Texas better prepared for flooding across the state. Texas will continue a proactive approach to better protect and inform residents affected by severe weather.