Community Services
Community flood Protection
Flooding in Williamson County is a growing community problem. Because of this the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with other regional jurisdictions including Hutto Fire Rescue, has developed and implemented the Community Flood Protection Plan. Reasons for developing a Community Flood Protection Plan include, but are not limited to:
• Frame a mitigation and preparedness plan to reduce flood risk within the county and region
• Flash floods can occur at any time during the year, but history has shown the late summer into fall and spring time to be the most prevalent and destructive
• After a significant wildfire, vegetation is lost, and soils can harden to repel rather than absorb water
• Form and maintain collaborative relationships with local stakeholders, emergency response personnel and federal and state agencies BEFORE flooding occurs
• Develop and refine pre-attack strategies and plans to improve first responder readiness and safety
• Establish and document planning activities and identify projects within the scope of the grant
In addition to protecting life and property, flood mitigation can also enhance the safety of Hutto Fire Rescue firefighters as well as protect at-risk populations, critical infrastructure, and natural resources.
Although proximity to public lands, such as wetlands, can impact flood risk, there are ways to minimize and reduce flood exposure from within the community as well. Focusing on local codes and ordinances, flood mitigation strategies, as well as flood reduction in parks, common-owned areas and open spaces can greatly lower the risk and impacts of a flood.
Community Wildfire Protection
Wildland Urban Interface fires are a growing community problem. Because of this the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with other regional jurisdictions including Hutto Fire Rescue, has developed and implemented the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Reasons for developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan include, but are not limited to:
• Frame a mitigation and preparedness plan to reduce wildfire risk within the county and region
• Form and maintain collaborative relationships with local stakeholders, emergency response personnel and federal and state agencies BEFORE a wildfire occurs
• Develop and refine pre-attack strategies and plans to improve first responder readiness and safety
• Establish and document planning activities and identify projects within the scope of the grant
In addition to protecting life and property, wildfire mitigation can also enhance the safety of Hutto Fire Rescue firefighters as well as protect at-risk populations, critical infrastructure, and natural resources.
Although proximity to public lands, such as grasslands, can impact wildfire risk, there are ways to minimize and reduce wildfire exposure from within the community as well. Focusing on local codes and ordinances, home ignition zones, defensible space, ignition resistant construction and design standards, as well as hazardous fuels reduction in parks, common-owned areas, and open spaces can greatly lower the risk and impacts of a wildfire.