LA GRANGE — Fayette County was recently recognized for its participation in the Disaster Risk Infrastructure Program (DRIP) for under-resourced Texas communities, a program aimed at helping communities that experience regular flooding to be better prepared.
“In 2022, the Texas A&M Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas launched a new initiative called the Disaster Risk Infrastructure Program for Under-resourced Texas communities. This program is designed to help Texas communities that experience chronic and acute flood events better use data and visualizations to aid local decision-making and improve communication to outside funders,” said Dr. Keri Stephens, professor of organizational communication and co-director of the Technology & Information Policy Institute at the University of Texas.
“DRIP’s mission is to empower under- resourced Texas communities with digital tools and training to make informed disaster mitigation decisions, secure funding, and reduce future losses. The key partners in the program are the Texas A&M Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, The University of Texas Technology & Information Policy Institute, the Texas Disaster Information System and the Texas A&M AgriLife, Disaster Assessment and Recovery program.
Dr. Stephens reached out to Fayette County to participate in phase one of the program. The commissioners from each precinct provided information on flooding in their areas. The County's flood plain, permitting and mapping departments also gave vital input. As a result, the county's flood maps have been updated to reflect the information collected during the project.
“We really appreciate the time and information given to us by Commissioners McBroom, Sternadel, Berckenhoff, and Brossmann along with Clint Sternadel and Amber Hielscher from the Permitting/Floodplain office in conjunction with Dawn Moore, GIS and Cassie Austin with the Judge's Office," Stephens said.
