AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Officials say torrential rain and a clogged storm drain combined to flood an atrium and back corridor at the Texas Capitol. Gov. Greg Abbott revealed the flooding in an urgent Twitter message Sunday afternoon.
The message said his office was working with affected state agencies and the State Preservation Board, which manages the building, to get the ankle-deep water mopped up. In Abbott’s words, “It’s all hands on deck.” Video posted on social media showed water leaking from an atrium skylight and down a back corridor of the Capitol Extension.
The State Preservation Board is working with the Governor’s office as well as all applicable agencies to address flooding at the Capitol stemming from the current storm in Austin.
It’s all hands on deck.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 15, 2021
This video from CBS Austin was also posted to Twitter:
WATCH:
Water is pouring into the halls at the Texas State Capitol, as heavy rain prompts flash flood warnings across Central Texas.
Video courtesy: Sloan Byerly pic.twitter.com/ASMXAIxU1p— CBS Austin (@cbsaustin) August 15, 2021
