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As we approach the one-year anniversary of the large-scale flooding events of May 3-5, 2024, the City of Gatesville wishes to update the public on our continuing efforts to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, repair damages, and reopen facilities affected by the disaster. Now working with our fourth different FEMA project manager, as well as excellent partners at the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), we have identified 17 locations and over 90 total damage areas from the May 2024 flood and the contemporary wind/rain events in April/May 2024.
Many of the documented damages are under consideration for FEMA funding, but did not require closures of facilities. Several other locations were damaged to the point that closures were required, including:
- Faunt Le Roy Park – the entire park flooded May 3-6, 2024
- The walking trail and upper portion of the park was reopened in July 2024, after extensive debris removal, electrical repairs, walking trail resurfacing, and cleanup.
- The lower loop portion of the park was reopened to pedestrians last month, after removal of damaged trees and limbs, electrical work, and installation of safety fencing near the hazardous banks of the river. The bathrooms will reopen soon, after plumbing and other repairs are completed.
- The portion of 7th Street between the walking trail and lower portion crosses over a large culvert, which was damaged in the flood. This culvert will require FEMA funding to repair, and that is the reason the lower portion is not yet open to vehicular traffic.
- Public Library – the roof was damaged during wind/hail events April/May 2024
- The April/May 2024 weather events exacerbated a roof and HVAC issue at the library, causing high humidity within the building and subsequent development of mold.
- Upon discovery of the mold issue in September 2024, we closed the library for assessment and repairs. We then established limited Library services at City Hall.
- After extensive work on the building, including a redesigned and newly-installed HVAC system, the Library is set to reopen in May 2025.
- Shady Lane, between Bridge Street and Wren Circle – May 3-6 flooding eroded the creek bed under a box culvert servicing Shady Lane
- The concrete culvert became unstable and unsafe for vehicular travel.
- Shady Lane was closed in October 2024 due to the safety concerns.
- We continue to work with FEMA to fund the repairs this culvert, and anticipate reopening Shady Lane within four weeks of receipt of the pending funding.
In November 2024, the City also closed the 1904 Leon River Bridge. This did not result directly from the May 2024 flood. Rather, the closure was due to safety concerns resulting from an inspection performed by the Texas Department of Transportation, which showed that the main deck of the bridge was at risk for failure due to being attached to the main structure by only one main bolt. We are pursuing grant opportunities to have an engineering firm assess the bridge, and our long-term goal is to reopen it for pedestrian traffic.
Each closure related directly to public safety concerns, and all closures are intended to be temporary in nature. We sincerely appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently, and within our budget, toward reopening these public facilities.
Sincerely,
Bradford Hunt
City Manager
City of Gatesville
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