Austin Texas News

The State offers tax relief for property owners who have winter storm damage. AUSTIN, Texas — Appraisal districts will temporarily reduce property tax base if you have damage from the recent winter storm. Minimum damage is 15% of the property’s improvement value. The tax reduction will only be in place until the property is reappraised. The deadline to apply is May 28.  Q&A with Marya Crigler, chief appraiser, Travis Central Appraisal District Erica Proffer: “Tell…

The severe weather last week left many Texans with damages to their homes and businesses. And now many are struggling to get food. Here are some ways to get help. Property Damages President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for counties in Texas, including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell, opening up federal assistance to residents. The aid includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other…

The City of Kyle lifted its boil water notice on Monday, but Vista at Plum Creek residents still have to boil theirs. KYLE, Texas — Although many in Central Texas have clean water back in their homes, some people in Kyle are still dealing with leaks because of broken water pipes, like the folks at Vista at Plum Creek. The residents told KVUE they got emails about multiple pipe bursts at the apartment complex after…

The survey is available in both English and Spanish. It applies to all businesses and residences across the state who suffered damage. The survey will request some of the following information: The survey will also allow individuals to submit photos. Reporting damages to the office of emergency management is completely voluntary and is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency. It also does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

When Cornell Woolridge finally ventured out of his Northwest Austin home to get water and food following the extreme weather last week, he noticed police vehicles outside an elderly neighbor’s house. “It left me with a lump with my throat,” he said. A younger man was crying outside the house. It was his neighbor’s son, who had just learned his father had passed away inside. “I asked, ‘Did he have power? Was it was related…

The 2018 boil water notice lasted six days. However, this time, much of the area is also experiencing a power outage. AUSTIN, Texas — On Wednesday night, Austin joined a growing list of Central Texas cities that are now under a boil water notice amid statewide power outages. The city-wide notice was issued due to power loss at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, Austin Water’s largest water treatment facility, and water pressure dropping below minimum…

City and county leaders will be holding a news conference to provide an update on the response to widespread power outages and severe winter weather. More than 196,000 customers are currently without power, according to the Austin Energy outage map, and temperatures remain well below freezing. Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, City Manager Spencer Cronk, City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Juan Ortiz and Austin Energy…

The risk of wildfires will be higher than normal through the winter in much of Texas. It’s yet another effect of the drought that continues to worsen in much of the state, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Though parts of Texas got some rain after the Thanksgiving holiday, the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map shows nearly a quarter of the state is now classified in “extreme drought.” The story behind the drought…

Record countdown is on for most tropical systems to make landfall in the U.S. in one season. The Gulf Coast has seen more than half of those landfalls. AUSTIN, Texas — It is no secret that the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is one of the most active in recent memory.  For the second time in history, meteorologists had to turn to the Greek Alphabet to name storms because the predetermined list of tropical system names…

There have been 29 wildfires reported from the Oregon border to just north of Mexico. ROUND ROCK, Texas — Three Round Rock firefighters are leaving Central Texas Friday to head to California, where crews are working to fight devastating wildfires across the West Coast. Lt. Matt Quade, Captain Jason Rutherford and driver Wayne Pietzsch, members of the Central Branch Strike Team, will be there for a minimum of two weeks. On Sept. 11, the Kyle…

While Central Texas is not in the direct path, local impacts are expected. AUSTIN, Texas — Tropical Storm Beta made landfall near Port O’Connor late Monday night around 10 pm.  This is the ninth named storm that has made landfall in the continental U.S. this year which means 2020 is officially tied with the 1916 hurricane season for the most continental U.S. landfalls in a single season.  Beta is the second system named with the…

While Central Texas is not in the direct path, local impacts are expected. AUSTIN, Texas — Tropical Storm Beta made landfall near Port O’Connor late Monday night around 10 pm.  This is the ninth named storm that has made landfall in the continental U.S. this year which means 2020 is officially tied with the 1916 hurricane season for the most continental U.S. landfalls in a single season.  Beta is the second system named with the…

Author: Jason Mikell, Mariel Ruiz, Hunter Williams, Erika Lopez Published: 11:46 AM CST March 6, 2019 Updated: 5:44 AM CDT September 22, 2020 AUSTIN, Texas — *Tropical Storm Beta made landfall near Port O’Connor late Monday night around 10 pm.  This is the ninth named storm that has made landfall in the continental U.S. this year which means 2020 is officially tied with the 1916 hurricane season for the most continental U.S. landfalls in a…

While Central Texas is not in the direct path, local impacts are expected. AUSTIN, Texas — Tropical Storm Beta made landfall near Port O’Connor late Monday night around 10 pm.  This is the ninth named storm that has made landfall in the continental U.S. this year which means 2020 is officially tied with the 1916 hurricane season for the most continental U.S. landfalls in a single season.  Beta is the second system named with the…

Author: Jason Mikell, Mariel Ruiz, Hunter Williams, Erika Lopez Published: 11:46 AM CST March 6, 2019 Updated: 5:42 PM CDT September 21, 2020 AUSTIN, Texas — Beta’s outer bands have brought rain to Central Texas. Light to moderate rain along with dense cloud cover and gusty winds will keep Monday highs in the 70s. Rain, heavy at times will continue through Wednesday morning. Rain chances will begin to taper off for the second half of…