Flood Awareness Week Proclaimed Three Years After Wimberley Flooding

By Camelia Juarez
News Director
Cyj6@txstate.edu

Three years ago on Memorial Day weekend, 13 fatalities and hundreds of homes were destroyed in a record breaking flood in Wimberley and San Marcos, and now Hays County Commissioners Court proclaims Flood Awareness Week, May 21-25.

A forty-foot wave from the Blanco River swept away entire blocks of homes in Wimberley, according to Hays County Emergency Management officials. As a result an estimated 350-400 residences were destroyed and at least 1,000 people were displaced in Hayes County shelters.

According to the National Weather Association, the area received nearly ten inches of rain which swelled the Blanco River 40 feet — 27 feet above flood stage.

In response, Hays County Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Justin McInnis urges citizens to be prepared for flooding by taking flash-flood classes such as Skywarn® through the National Weather Service and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training taught by Hays County Emergency Preparedness staff.

McInnis also said citizens should sign up for Code Red warnings or follow local social media pages for timely emergency warnings.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said he also recommends having a NOAA weather radio.

Featured image courtesy of the National Weather Association.