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Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
July 3, 2026
Bandera County commissioners move forward to enhance flood warning warning system
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera County commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) to move forward with a grant and overall planning for a flash flood warning siren system, enhancing the county’s flood early warning system already in place.
Senate Bill 3, which mandates the installation of outdoor warning sirens in areas prone to flash flooding, was signed Sept. 5, 2025, triggering a grant program to help fund the systems.
“We’ve got a lot of experience with this. We feel like it would benefit the county,” BCRAGD General Manager Dave Mauk said. “We’ve got some of the best staff in the state.”
On July 9, during their regular session, commissioners are expected to request approval to submit Bandera County's Senate Bill 3 Outdoor Warning Siren Project Plan to the Texas Water Development Board for funding through the SB3 Grants Program.
In the public forum, commissioners were asked to consider installing flood warning devices on Lower Mason Creek Road, in response to the death of a woman trapped in her car after it was swept away in high waters on June 15. The road, residents said, is one of the few in Bandera County with 90-degree blind curves that drop down 15 feet from both directions.
“When there’s water over the road, you can’t tell until you’re almost in it,” a resident said. “You’re in the water before you realize it’s flooded.”
Requests were made for signs that warn of flooding, blinking lights and/or gates that could be lowered or closed during flood events.
“We are all aware of the very tragic event,” Bandera County Judge Richard Evans said. “We will pursue something.”
The City of Bandera’s latest emergency flood warning siren test was conducted July 1. The sirens will sound on the first Wednesday of each month at noon.
Senate Bill 3, which mandates the installation of outdoor warning sirens in areas prone to flash flooding, was signed Sept. 5, 2025, triggering a grant program to help fund the systems.
“We’ve got a lot of experience with this. We feel like it would benefit the county,” BCRAGD General Manager Dave Mauk said. “We’ve got some of the best staff in the state.”
On July 9, during their regular session, commissioners are expected to request approval to submit Bandera County's Senate Bill 3 Outdoor Warning Siren Project Plan to the Texas Water Development Board for funding through the SB3 Grants Program.
In the public forum, commissioners were asked to consider installing flood warning devices on Lower Mason Creek Road, in response to the death of a woman trapped in her car after it was swept away in high waters on June 15. The road, residents said, is one of the few in Bandera County with 90-degree blind curves that drop down 15 feet from both directions.
“When there’s water over the road, you can’t tell until you’re almost in it,” a resident said. “You’re in the water before you realize it’s flooded.”
Requests were made for signs that warn of flooding, blinking lights and/or gates that could be lowered or closed during flood events.
“We are all aware of the very tragic event,” Bandera County Judge Richard Evans said. “We will pursue something.”
The City of Bandera’s latest emergency flood warning siren test was conducted July 1. The sirens will sound on the first Wednesday of each month at noon.