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Rain boots or Gucci shoes? Here's how to prep for stormy ACL weather

It's shaping up to be a rainy ACL weekend, but there are ways to prepare. (ACL/Austonia edit)
A storm is brewing in Austin, and it's just in time for the biggest outdoor event of the year.
But don't let it rain on your parade: with the right preparation and a little bit of good luck, Austin City Limits can bring the party rain or shine as the first ACL weekend since 2019 kicks off on Friday.
Weekend forecast
After a dry start to the day chances of showers and storms will increase late this afternoon- tonight. Heavy rainfall & some strong to severe storms are possible across the Rio Grande Plains & Edwards Plateau late today into tomorrow.
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) September 30, 2021
Stormy weather continues through Saturday. pic.twitter.com/2eilLISiCh
In order to make the most of the weekendlong music fest, you first need to know what you're up against.
It's no guarantee that it will rain all through your favorite's concert, but the area will see up to 1.5 inches of rain from Thursday night to Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio. More rainfall is expected from Friday to Saturday.
According to The Weather Channel, Austin will see a 60% chance of rain during the day Friday and just under a 50% chance that night. A near 50% chance of rainfall carries into Saturday, with showers expected in the morning and scattered thunderstorms coming as the day continues. Heavy rainfall could occur either weekend.
These October showers could impact the Austin area in multiple ways, including minor flooding, plenty of mud and, thankfully, some appropriate early fall temperatures.
The National Weather Service predicts that much of Central and South Texas could see higher river flows and minor flooding over the weekend, though only the most sensitive creeks and streams of the Colorado River will be affected. Austin is predicted to see around two inches in the next few days.
Mudfest Round 2?
History lesson:
— Festival Saviors (@sxsaviors) September 28, 2021
ACL 2009 was known as Mudfest. This was after only 0.68in of rain fell on Zilker
This year we have two rainy days leading up to ACL + two more during the fest.
Will history repeat?
Photo cred Statesman - https://t.co/1baU326sqZpic.twitter.com/RzPXjZlwt3
With plenty of rainfall and plenty of footsteps to muss up the ground, ACL goers have a new enemy: mud.
No matter how well they go with your outfit, it may be time to consider scrapping your Louboutins for some rain boots, or at the very least, some form of thicker closed-toe shoes. Think stability, water protection, and warmth- there's no reason to watch George Strait with soggy socks and cold toes.
Another good move would be wearing a rain jacket, which admittedly will alter your well-planned weekend outfit. For the best of both worlds, consider opting for a clear poncho that won't be too hot and keeps your fashionable taste in view.
Finally, it's key to bring something to protect your belongings. A waterlogged phone could ruin even the best of concerts, so look for waterproof fanny packs, waterproof phone pouches or, at the very least, Ziploc baggies and trash bags to keep your belongings safe. Remember, ACL requires all bags larger than fanny packs to be clear, and backpacks and drawstring bags are prohibited. Here's the full bag policy.
A silver lining
Big fan of Greta Van Fleet? Lucky for you, Sunday will be unmarred by the weekend's storms. Expect a mix of sunny and cloudy skies and a high of 88 degrees to close out Weekend One.
With storms bringing a cool front to balmy Texas, the storms will keep extreme heat at bay all weekend—in fact, Sunday will be the warmest day of all. Highs for both Friday and Saturday will reach around 85 degrees, with lows in the mid-to high 60s all weekend long.
Concertgoers will have a bit more leeway in outfit choices thanks to the weekend's relatively moderate temperatures—while shorts and a flowy top are still perhaps most comfortable, a breathable layer or two may not be unwelcome as well.
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Popular
(Moriah Wilson/Instagram)
Austin police have charged Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, a local cyclist, for the murder of Moriah "Mo" Wilson.
Wilson, a rising star in the gravel and mountain bike community, was found dead with gunshot wounds inside an East Austin home on the night of May 11 when she was in town for the weekend Gravel Locos race in Hico, Texas.
Police believe Wilson was having a relationship with a man Armstrong was also in a relationship with. The man, another gravel cyclist, Colin Strickland, has since issued a statement on the murder.
In his statement, he said he had a brief romantic relationship with Wilson in October 2021 before he resumed his relationship with Armstrong, but that he remained friends with Wilson. "There is no way to adequately express the regret and torture I feel about my proximity to this horrible crime. I am sorry, and I simply cannot make sense of this unfathomable tragedy.
NEW: Austin professional cyclist Colin Strickland has just released a statement about the murder of cyclist Moriah Wilson, clarifying his relationship with her and expressing “torture about my proximity to this horrible crime.” pic.twitter.com/KnIna3mWrE
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) May 20, 2022
Wilson, a 25-year-old Vermont native living in Colorado, had won a slew of races becoming a fan favorite. She had just become a full-time racer this year.
Anyone with information on this crime can contact Austin police at 512-974-TIPS or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 512-472-8477.
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Kelly said the planned homeless housing hotel suffered months of damage. (Mackenzie Kelly)
Austin has added 24-hour security to the city-owned Pecan Gardens property, which will be converted into supportive housing for people exiting homelessness, after the former hotel was found with months of damage and vandalism May 5.
The building, which was broken into and stripped of copper and had people illegally sleeping inside of it, has been secured, Kelly said in a Friday press conference. Kelly said the city confirmed a measure to implement 24-hour security, including updates every 60 days until the property opens up as supportive housing.
"We cannot let this happen to any vacant city-owned property ever again," Kelly said. "This blatant act of disregard and criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our community."
The city bought the former hotel in August 2021 for $9.5 million with plans to renovate the property into a 78-unit supportive housing property. Those 55 or older that are experiencing chronic homelessness can qualify to live at the site once it is completed in late 2022-early 2023.
While the council was set to discuss a $4 million deal with Family Eldercare to begin converting the property Thursday, Kelly pulled the item for a later executive session due to security concerns. But the council did approve an item to authorize city leaders to begin negotiating other renovation contracts.
"I want to thank my colleagues for pumping the brakes on this contract and realizing that we owe the community not only an apology, but reassurance that the protection of the assets the city owns is vital to the success of achieving our intended goals," Kelly said.
When the building was found vandalized May 5, Kelly, who presides over the district containing the property, said damage included:
- Damage spanning all three floors of the building and is in nearly every room.
- The entire hotel was stripped of copper.
- Destroyed washers, dryers, air conditioners and electrical wiring.
- People sleeping at the hotel without permission.
On Tuesday, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Gray apologized and said there was no security due to a delay in processing the request.
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