New Texas flood warning system could give Hill Country communities hours to prepare | Houston Public Media

Texas is building a $4 million flood warning system that could give communities up to three hours of advance notice before dangerous flooding arrives. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington and Rice University are leading the project. The first version launches as early as summer 2025, with a full system expected by September 2027.

The new system pulls together radar rainfall data from the National Weather Service (NWS), river flow and elevation readings, and weather modeling. It will also add new measurement gauges along the Upper Guadalupe watershed in Kerr County. The goal is to predict where flooding will hit and how severe it may be before conditions turn dangerous. A web-based dashboard comes first, with a mobile app planned later. A separate $24 million investment is expanding the West Texas Mesonet — a network of more than 170 weather stations across the state — to build similar high-resolution forecasting tools statewide.

You do not need to wait for this technology to be ready to act. Start by finding out whether your neighborhood is enrolled in a local emergency alert system. Houston and Harris County both offer free opt-in text and phone alerts for severe weather. Knowing your flood zone and having a plan before storm season arrives can make all the difference. As the new system rolls out, your local emergency management office will be the best source for updates on how it works in your area.

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This story connects to broader conversations about flood preparedness in the Houston area, where hurricanes and heavy rains cause regular flooding. Harris County has invested in its own flood warning infrastructure since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The statewide push for better forecasting tools reflects growing recognition that opt-in alert systems and delayed sirens are not enough on their own.

The July 4, 2025 flooding along the Guadalupe River killed more than 130 people, including nearly 30 children. Many were caught off guard because warnings came too late. This new system aims to close that gap by giving emergency managers and families earlier, clearer information — time to evacuate, move to higher ground, or make other life-saving decisions.