Community claims lack of communication from city regarding flood claims
Residents of Mearns Meadow Blvd. in North Austin are still reeling from flooding that damaged their homes back in April. Debris left behind by a February ice storm had clogged a culvert, causing the floodwaters to have no place to go. Neighbors were quick to blame the city for failing to keep the creek system clear, particularly after the ice storm. Ryan Albright, one of the affected residents, claimed that the floods were a result of the city’s negligence in maintaining the creek system.
According to Albright, more than 60 homes were affected by the floodwaters, and he is still trying to repair his own home months later. “We had to gut the entire house. We’re in the process now of rebuilding a bathroom so that we have a bathroom. We still don’t have a kitchen. We’re sleeping on the floor,” he shared. Albright criticized the city for its lack of communication in informing the affected residents about filing claims. In a memo from the city manager’s office to City Council members, the city claimed to have reached out to residents and informed them of the aid available to them. Albright called this claim a “falsehood.”
The memo stated that residents had 45 days from the floods to file a claim, which, according to Albright, many neighbors were not aware of, and the deadline has already passed. He also pointed out other issues with potholes and erosion sites in the neighborhood and accused the city of neglecting its duty to repair the damages. “The neighborhood is broken, and the city is letting it be broken, and they want no part in repairing it,” he lamented.
In response, the city claimed that the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management had coordinated with the Red Cross and the Austin Disaster Relief Network to reach residents and gather information immediately following the flooding event. The city staff from Watershed Protection also maintained regular contact with the affected residents, connecting them with city resources and non-profit organizations that could assist them.
The city further reported that it had received approximately a dozen claims so far and continues to evaluate claims submitted. It also revealed that more than 190 tons of brush and debris were removed from Austin’s drainage system after the April floods, representing an almost 250% increase from the previous five-year average.
Additionally, the city staff identified erosion sites in Little Walnut Creek and the Mearns Meadow area that needed attention. Although no houses were at risk, fences, yards, and utilities were in danger, and the city is considering a stream bank stabilization project in the future. The city documented 2,100 erosion sites citywide and has repaired about 700 through prioritizing stabilization projects based on their number, frequency, and severity.
As Austin Transportation and Public Works crews plan on performing street maintenance in the area this summer, they remain on standby to respond to individual road issues like potholes, which residents can report via Austin 3-1-1. The city also plans crack seal treatments for Neans Drive and Ken Street, while Kramer Lane is to receive a mill and overlay, according to city officials. More information on planned street maintenance and an interactive map can be found on the city’s website at austintexas.gov/StreetMaintenance.
