Early flood warning system gets seal of approval from Texas Water Development Board
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Texas Water Development Board announced Wednesday morning that the early flood detection system in Bryan is up and running.
The system was funded by a 2019 grant from the Texas legislature. City of Bryan officials said construction on 20 sites was completed last year, with the TWDB recently paying a visit to see their progress.
The flood detection system uses water pressure detection sensors to determine the water level. When it reaches a certain height, the sensors trigger warning lights, urging drivers to ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown.’
These signs can be found in places the city indicated have a history of flooding in previous years.
When the warning lights turn on, drivers have a heads-up before they find themselves in what could be a life-threatening situation.
“People drive through water of an unknown depth or for fast-moving water that, you know, sweeps the car into a creek and, and they drown. So our number one priority is to try to save lives,” Sam Vernon, Assistant City Engineer for the City of Bryan, said.
Vernon added that Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths, with more than half of those occurring on the road.
