Fingers crossed, Austin — help might be on the way.
Last week, Austin’s U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced UT researchers received federal funding for a three-year study on how to help prepare for record-breaking heat in the Austin area (In case you missed it, this summer was the hottest on record in ATX).
As reported by KVUE, as many as 40 researchers from the university and the City of Austin will participate in the program, which may study subjects including:
- The urban heat island effect
- Tree cover
- City shelters and water distribution
- Wildfire preparedness
City leaders hope this research — which still needs to go through final approval and be signed into law by Mayor Kirk Watson — will inform city decisions during future heatwaves.