Onion Creek Mural:
A Commemoration to the Onion Creek Floods of 2013 & 2015
There’s much to know about this project, first and foremost:
What’s Onion Creek? What floods ?
The Onion Creek area of Austin, Texas sustained heavy damage during the Halloween floods of 2013 and 2015. On the morning of October 31, 2013, Onion Creek crested just over 40 feet - marking a new record height for this location, known as the “100-year flood plain” of Onion Creek.
“The term "100-year flood" is used to describe the recurrence interval of floods. The 100-year recurrence interval means that a flood of that magnitude has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. In other words, the chances that a river will flow as high as the 100-year flood stage this year is 1 in 100.”
- Usgs.gov
Onion Creek has, unfortunately, seen many a flood, “…But none of these disasters compared to the catastrophic Halloween Flood of 2013, during which Austin received over 10 inches of rain during a single 24-hour period. Onion Creek rose by 11 feet in a mere 15 minutes and eventually hit an all-time high of 41 feet (topping a 1921 record by three feet). Water coursed through it at twice the velocity of Niagara Falls—enough to easily topple houses and trees, and move multi-ton objects like boulders and automobiles. The Halloween flood killed five people and damaged over 1,200 houses…”
Image taken by kissingtoast on Flickr.
Image taken by kissingtoast on Flickr.
So, what’s being done?
In response to the 2013 Halloween Flood in Onion Creek, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20140515-028 directing the City Manager to provide a “report to Council regarding the needs associated with a study of feasible flood mitigation options within the Onion Creek floodplain outside of the William Cannon Drive and Pleasant Valley Road area; and… an accelerated conceptual evaluation of potential flood mitigation alternatives”
According to the Mural Project’s Memorandum (linked at the bottom of this page), “the City of Austin recognizes that there is still much work to be done, especially to address the challenges of climate change and racial inequity” and the purpose of the memorandum is to “provide a response to City Council Resolution No. 20211014-048, relating to the City affirming its ‘commitment to building a flood resilient community by addressing current risks, supporting safer regulations, encouraging robust community engagement efforts and emergency preparedness in collaboration with the 5-county regional partners.’”
Change is being implemented.
Along with the programs, resources, regulations, and any other protocols/practices being put into place to protect and prepare the citizens of Austin, The Onion Creek Mural Project was proposed by City Council in response to Resolution No. 20211014-048 – Flood Memorial and Community Engagement. (Link to read at bottom of page).
Keywords: “Memorial and Community Engagement” These words convey the main purposes of the mural. To create a memorial for the homes and lives lost during the floods, to bring awareness to the floods, the area and its history, and to engage the community by creating the mural in a public place – Onion Creek Park.
This is where we come into the picture!
Caminantes gathered around Alonso (AKA The Death Head) and his brother, Gus (AKA Ghost) on September 16th, their first day working on the mural.
Caminante Ethan Barrera working on adding details to the under sketch of the mural on Weekend 3 of the project.
The lead muralist, Alonso Estrada (Artist name: The Death Head), was hired by the City of Austin to coordinate with the community on the design and implementation of a mural located at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, he’s done a spectacular job interviewing affected families, delving into the history, and creating the piece worthy of the cause. Even in the realization of the mural, community members are welcomed into the working zone. Everyone is encouraged to come out to the site and volunteer and help in the creation of the mural, including us – Caminos!
The Caminos class of 2024 is working on this mural project under the guidance of the artist Alonso Estrada, until the date of the public unveiling: Saturday, October 28, 2023 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Save the Date!) facilitated by Mayor of Austin Kirk Preston Watson and Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes.
This is just the beginning of our 2023-2024 year, and the Caminantes have been encouraged to be part of every every one of the mural’s final steps. From hearing about the inner workings of City-funded Public Artworks, to how to mix paint that will be put on asphalt and learning why it needs to be mixed differently. Caminos as a program strives to help teens in the Austin-area get an idea of life in the arts and give back to their community throughout their year as interns with the Emma S. Barrientos Cultural Center. To be part of such a project is an honor to Caminos, we’re putting lots of effort into doing what we can to help the mural honor Onion Creek to the best of its ability.
Stay up to date on the project and its progress on our socials,
Thanks for reading!
Caminantes Melany Serrano and Yadira Ramos applying the first coat of paint of the mural on Weekend 3.
Caminante Juan Vargas applying the first coat of paint of the mural on Weekend 3.
For more information, visit the links below:
Onion Creek Mural Memorandum:
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=389326
Other Attachments included above:
Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Mural Commission PowerPoint
Dove Springs Preparedness Guide – English
Dove Springs Preparedness Guide – Spanish
Flood Resilience Report – response to Council Resolution 20210127-056 (link to EDIMS)
Flood Safety Resources:
ATXFloodSafety.com is a website external from the City of Austin that houses links to multiple flood preparedness resources to help property owners understand their flood risk and prepare themselves and their families before a flood occurs. These links connect users with the following resources:
Information about the National Weather Service’s Atlas 14 study to help residents understand their flood risk and changing floodplains.
ATXfloods.com to show real-time road closures due to flooding. Residents are encouraged to visit this website before they get on the road. Information about this tool is also included in emergency advertising and in the advertising campaigns for flood safety. Note that when it is flooding or when flooding is imminent, we will direct people the ATXfloods.com rather than ATXfloodsafety.com
FloodPro to allow property owners to find where their property is located within a floodplain.
WarnCentralTexas.org to allow residents to sign up for emergency alerts via text, email or phone.
FEMA flood insurance information to help residents learn about flood insurance and why it’s important.
The LCRA’s Hydromet to show near-real-time data on streamflow, river stage, rainfall totals, temperature and humidity.
Ready.gov to help residents create a disaster preparedness plan.
Floodplain Development Information page to provide information about floodplain regulations.
WPD’s Flood Safety Information page related to the Turn Around Don’t Drown campaign.
Sources:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/onion-creek-ghost-streets
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/defenders-destined-to-flood/269-615925368
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/onion-creek-ghost-streets
