Torrential rains in downtown Austin lead to flooding at Capitol
A hot day in Austin turned stormy Sunday afternoon.
Shortly before 2 p.m. a flash flood warning was issued for Austin and Travis County and heavy rain pummeled the area. According to the National Weather Service, Austin received between 2 and 5 inches of rain, with the highest amounts reported over downtown.
The downpour led to flooding in the underground extension of the Capitol and other areas.
"A storm drain became clogged and backed up water into one of the skylight drain troughs, and water came into the building," Chris Currens, a spokesman for the State Preservation Board, the government entity that maintains the building, said Sunday.
The damage was in the Capitol Extension on the E 200 and 300 hallways, Currens said.
Currens said his crew was planning to work through the night "to make sure that we get everything operational by tomorrow."
Gov. Greg Abbott said on Twitter that his office was coordinating with "all applicable agencies" to address the flooding. "It’s all hands on deck," he wrote.
There were also social media reports of flooding at Gregory Gym on the University Texas campus and at Shoal Creek on Sunday.
Video shared by UT students on Twitter showed a spout of water coming up from the floor of Gregory Gym, and UT posted this update onSunday afternoon: "The entire Gregory Gymnasium & Aquatic Complex will be closed from 2 p.m. through the end of day today as a result of a facility-related emergency and inclement weather."
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/08/15/flash-flood-warning-issued-austin-and-travis-county/8144241002/
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