The Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition (TCRFC) is a partnership of cities and counties in the Colorado River basin and surrounding areas seeking better ways to reduce and mitigate flood damage. The Coalition was formed in response to a combination of rapid growth, a greatly expanded number of homes and businesses in the floodplain and devastating floods that have reoccurred in the basin. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) provides technical support to the Coalition.

News:

The TCRFC Hazard Mitigation is still in review at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Revisions have been submitted, and we are now awaiting submittal to FEMA.

A Glimpse at some of our goals and objectives:

Support local participation with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Lower Colorado River Basin Study to implement cost-effective flood damage reduction strategies that also provide recreational and environmental benefits.

Work with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obtain updated Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs).

Provide training programs for floodplain administrators and elected officials.

Assist members to become “disaster resistant” and StormReady.

Here are few of our recent activities and accomplishments:

The Coalition has been awarded more than $700,000 in federal grants for development of updated DFIRMs and hazard mitigation planning.

The State of Texas has approved the Hazard Mitigation Grant proposal to update Hazard Mitigation Actions for communities currently covered in the plan, Creating a Disaster-Resistant Lower Colorado Basin, and to add up to 41 new communities.

The Coalition supports FEMA’s Map Modernization program in which several Coalition counties have already received modernized flood maps and flood studies.

More than 500 NOAA weather radios have been placed in TCRFC members to assist in severe weather warning and disaster preparedness.

History

The problem of protecting lives and property from flooding in the lower Colorado River basin has become increasingly severe as a result of the rapid expansion of homes and businesses in the floodplain. This has been evidenced by devastating floods that occurred in all or part of the basin in 1991, 1997 and 1998. Unfortunately, local floodplain management efforts are sometimes ineffective due to the lack of coordination and sufficient technical support.

To study ways to address these problems, the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2000 sponsored a year-long series of meetings guided by a Steering Committee of local government officials. Their conclusion was that regional coordination and planning was needed.

In response, over sixty participating communities have joined together to create the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition. Based upon earlier recommendations made by the Steering Committee, the Coalition has adopted a mission statement, goals and objectives, as well as a process to implement and build upon the coalition charter.

As a part of this process, the Executive Committee has directed a number of regional and technical working committees to develop recommendations on strategies to achieve Coalition goals. A Stakeholder Advisory Group has also been formed to provide comment on Coalition initiatives. The Executive Committee meets quarterly to consider and take action on the recommendations.