Emergency operations system activated due to..

Even the statue of music legend, Stevie Ray Vaugn is prepared for flooding. On Thursday someone dressed him up with a life vest jacket in past flooding events Stevie has been underwater.

The Lower Colorado River Authority announced Wednesday they preparing to open up additional flood gates at Mansfield Dam over the next few days. Water will be rushing downstream to Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake. The lakes high water levels have caused concern for emergency officials activating the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center.

The EOC is made up of Austin fire, police and EMS all on standby in anticipation of severe weather. Road closures of more than 90 low water crossings have been made Thursday night. EOC Public Information Specialist Angel Flores said so far they had to reduce traffic on west bound Cesar Chavez because of water spilling into the roadway.

“So we are monitoring that to make sure that it doesn’t get out of control. We also have crews in place and staff on standby incase conditions deteriorate,” Flores said.

Austin Pets Alive is also taking measures in preparation of potential flooding. The flood plain is next to APA. However, APA Director of Marketing Mary Heerwald said they have no reason to believe the facility is at risk of flooding they are concerned with how their employees will access the facility with all the road closures.

“Our primary goal right now is to get as many cats and dogs from our shelter facility into foster homes over the next couple of weeks until this emergency is over,” Heerwald said.

If you would like to help foster contact Austin Pets Alive 512-961-6519

As rain continues to fall, the EOC will take precautions to evacuate those in high-risk areas and make emergency road closures as needed. To keep up to date the EOC advises people to download the Warn Central Texas App that sends free emergency alerts to residents.