exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

Nine cities have already signed on to the countywide utility, aimed at securing long-term water supplies without relying on state approval.

The drought watch was originally issued April 3 due to prolonged dry conditions.

Texas. North Carolina. Illinois. New Mexico. Flash flooding has surged into the spotlight in the last week with record-breaking flood events occurring nearly back-to-back across the country. Here’s why they happened now and why floods are becoming more intense.

Harbor Island set to be home to the world's 3rd largest desalination plant after Port strikes deal

The State Flood Plan, published last year, identified $54 billion in flood mitigation, warning and data needs. The state has awarded around $660 million since the plan was published, with a special legislative session coming soon.

After recent studies at the lake and new designations by the U.S. Environvironment Protection Agency about the class of chemicals known as PFAS, “the decision was made to temporarily close public access to mitigate the potential risks to human health posed by PFAS,” the base said.

The area that was found to contain PFAS chemcials in the soil and water was at least partly linked to chemicals used in firefighting operations and training programs on base, Holloman said.

The Lower Colorado River Authority opened two floodgates at Buchanan Dam Monday afternoon to release storm runoff as the Highland Lakes system manages flooding from July rains.

The ongoing situation has escalated tensions between the United States and Mexico regarding water rights, drawing from a water-sharing agreement established in 1944. This treaty mandates that Mexico deliver 430 million cubic meters of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. annually. In exchange, the U.S. provides a significantly larger quantity of nearly 1.85 billion cubic meters from the Colorado River to Mexican border towns like Tijuana and Mexicali

Before heading to Texas July 11, the president expanded a federal disaster declaration for the floods, making residents of eight Central Texas counties eligible for federal assistance programs.

Officials with Polk County Emergency Management, along with state agency partners, were working to address a crude oil spill Thursday. The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. west of U.S. Highway 146 South on Davis Road.

A system of dams and reservoirs was designed to hold in floodwaters. Crews monitor the water coming into the system and figure out when to store or release it downstream to decrease flood risk.

Recent action from Round Rock City Council furthered development in the city, including wastewater infrastructure and plans for a new housing development.

It’s a staggering fact, especially after our region has experienced a multi-year drought. Nearly every major river basin in South Central Texas has experienced flooding since July 4, 2025.

Dr. Dorina Murgulet with Texas A&M Corpus Christi said long-term, the recent rain and flash flooding is not going to get us out of water restrictions anytime soon. 

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has put together his list of state Senators who will make up the legislative committee to create a flood warning system.

Areas upstream of mile marker 36 and Sandy Creek Park will remain closed, according to Travis County.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has contacted the city of Fort Worth to see if its services will be required to mitigate the effects of the oil spill cleanup underway at a water treatment plant in the east of the city.

Houston restaurants are joining in relief efforts for Kerr Country flood victims.

The Fort Worth water department is using former drying beds to clean wastewater contaminated with oil from a spill near Lake Arlington in May. A damaged pipe just north of the lake leaked 2,600 barrels of crude oil in early May, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency. The oil entered a municipal sewer line owned and operated by the city of Fort Worth.