The Austin area received some much-needed rain over the weekend, accumulating 2.76 inches of rainfall between Friday and Saturday, National Weather Service data says. But forecasters say drought conditions are not expected to change much.
“It’s a beneficial rainfall, but it’s going to have little bearing on the drought status,” said Matthew Brady, a lead forecaster for the National Weather Service.
Travis County is experiencing severe and extreme drought conditions, according to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor. With the area still under a precautionary wildfire disaster declaration, it’s good to be prepared for such an event in Austin.
Here’s what you need to know:
🧯 Make Your Home Fire Resistant
Making your home resistant to fire is all about prepping your space ahead of time to keep embers from sneaking in. Here are some simple steps you can take from the Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition:
- Do not store combustible materials under your deck or porch.
- Bring any outdoor furniture inside if there’s a fire threat.
- Block off open areas on your roof, like roof valleys, open ends of barrel tiles, and gutters.
- Roof coverings should be Class A fire-rated and be made of materials like metal, tile, or composition shingles.
- Enclose your eaves with noncombustible materials.
- Bring flammable items like doormats, wreaths, and planters inside on high fire danger days.
- Make sure wooden fences do not directly connect to your home.
🗑️ Remove Debris
This tip may be the biggest – you don’t want any kind of debris at your home when fires are possible. That includes vegetation like weeds, dried grass, brush, leaves in your gutters, litter on your roof, and firewood. Removing debris slows down the spread of fire, officials say.
👏 Practice
Sign up for emergency alerts and make an evacuation plan with your family. You’ll need to pick an emergency meetup location outside the wildfire hazard area and practice an evacuation route. Check your home’s wildfire risk online.
Don’t forget to pack a go-bag that includes a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water per person, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a battery powered radio, your important documents, and medications, among other items.
🧑🚒 Stay safe out there, y’all!
