Texas A&M University’s Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas has launched a new statewide data portal designed to help communities prepare for floods and other natural disasters.
The Texas Disaster Information System (TDIS) consolidates flood models and emergency data that were previously scattered across multiple agencies. The portal was developed in partnership with the Texas General Land Office (GLO), Texas Water Development Board, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The launch comes less than three months after catastrophic flooding in Central Texas, which left dozens dead and forced large-scale rescue efforts. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Dallas and Fort Worth sent firefighters to aid in recovery after the July 4 disaster.
Officials said the system addresses long-standing challenges with fragmented and outdated disaster data. Through the GLO’s Combined River Basin Flood Studies, the portal incorporates 67 flood models covering 22,635 square miles across 51 counties, giving planners and researchers a more detailed view of flood risks.
“Texas is no stranger to hurricanes, storms, and flood events, but we are learning from previous events to forge the path to a continuously more resilient future,” Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said. “Making flood models publicly available through the Texas Disaster Information System will help communities increase efficiencies, save money, and make more informed decisions.”
The platform offers tools tailored to different users. One feature, Buyers Aware, provides property-level flood and fire risk reports for areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Other tools allow researchers to download state flood modeling data, store and manage flood models, and access best practices for risk communication.
Dr. Samuel Brody, director of the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, said the portal is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and on-the-ground decision-making.
“At its core, the TDIS portal is about helping Texans,” Brody said. “Whether it’s a city planner, policymaker, or a family considering a new home, TDIS puts vital information at their fingertips so they can make decisions with greater confidence.”
The Institute, created in 2020 by the Texas A&M System, aims to strengthen disaster preparedness by turning research and data into practical planning tools for communities across the state.