SAN MARCOS — San Marcos experienced historic flooding in May and October 2015.​ Since then, ordinances have changed and flood mitigation projects are in the works.

  • The City of San Marcos installs early flood warning sensors
  • Part of a grant from the Texas Water Development Board
  • Other flood mitigation projects in the works

"Protection measures have to be put in place and that's a priority for our city," Laurie Moyer, director of engineering and capital improvements for the city of San Marcos said. "Every time there's a forecast for heavy rain events, I think everyone's radar goes up."

The city received $25 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. $19 million of that is going toward five major infrastructure projects along the Blanco River, with construction anticipated by late 2019 or 2020.

"In addition to that, the City Council accelerated just regular stormwater projects in the city. So we have over $40 million in funding for stormwater projects over the next 5 years," Moyer said.

Moyer admitted the controversial construction of The Woods Apartment Complex along the Blanco River was a learning experience for City Council following the 2015 floods. She said the complex acted like a dam, preventing the water from returning back to the river.

"So that created some rises in water surface, and so I think that's what the council wanted to go back and avoid doing and that's why we have so much more extensive requirements for new development," Moyer said.

The city has since amended its floodplain development ordinance to require analysis of how drainage will be altered as a result of proposed development.

"You cannot go impact that existing development. You have to do much more sophisticated analysis to show and mitigate if you're going to build."

The city has until 2022 to spend the disaster recovery funds awarded by HUD.