Austin's much-anticipated Fourth of July festivities have been swept away by severe weather, leading to a citywide cancellation of the Star Spangled Fest and its accompanying fireworks display. In a statement released by the City of Austin in conjunction with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, it was made clear that the decision came down to concern for public safety, given the saturated condition of Auditorium Shores and the unpredictable weather patterns.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Travis County, forecasting an additional 2” of rain on top of what has already been a deluge. With the ground already water-logged, and, the droves expected to attend the Fourth of July event, the risk was deemed too high. The city urges residents to take extreme caution and avoid waterways and roads submerged by the swift-moving floods.
In response to the threatening conditions put forth by Mother Nature, key safety advice has been issued, including recommendations to stay away from area waterways, refrain from driving through flooded roads, and avoid walking through moving water. City officials stress the importance of staying informed by monitoring local weather updates and having an evacuation plan at the ready.
To manage the excess storm runoff, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) plans to open floodgates at a couple of dams situated along the Llano River, according to the city's notification. These preemptive measures are critical for mitigating the potential impact on Lake Travis and surrounding communities. In solidarity with its neighbors, Austin has dispatched resources from its EMS and Fire Department, to lend aid to flood-stricken areas in Kerr and San Saba counties.
As a result of both the inclement weather and the event's cancellation, Austin residents should expect multiple road closures. Updates on these closures and general safety information can be found at AtxFloods, which provides real-time details on the flooding impact within the region.
