Special to The Leader

Austin, Texas — Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) announced the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting applications for a grant award for early warning systems. In light of significant and deadly flooding events over the past year, TWDB has made it a priority to enhance the abilities of communities to warn citizens and respond to flood emergencies in a timely and effective manner.

“Recently, many communities within Senate District 3 have been affected by disastrous flooding which has destroyed property and endangered lives,” said Senator Nichols. “These grants will help enable local communities to implement systems which can help to prevent and reduce the loss of life and property from natural disasters.”

Early warnings systems can be a valuable tool for communities to warn community members in the event of a flood. Some examples of these systems include but are not limited to:

• Sirens
• Reverse 911 call systems
• Automatic reporting for river and/or rainfall gauges; and
• Information technology to monitor, detect, and assimilate data for flood prediction

These grants can be used for the installation of early warning systems as well as the enhancement of a communities current response plan. The TWDB hopes these measures will enhance already existing efforts by the agency related to weather stations, developing real-time and online flood information as well as providing floodplain management resources to local communities.

TWDB will accept applications from political subdivisions who have the authority to plan for and implement projects related to flood protection. Applicants must be current participants or have applied to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Deadline for applications is 12:00p.m., June 17, 2016. For more information please visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/about/contract_admin/request/rfa_03.asp.