Austin area flooding: 4 dead, at least 12 missing
Flash flood warnings continue Saturday after more than a foot of water fell overnight, killing dozens across Central Texas.
As of Saturday afternoon, two people were reported dead in Travis County, and two deaths were reported in Burnet County. Several more are still missing.
In Central Texas, the death toll has risen to 43 people, including 15 children.
Dock floats away near Lake Buchanan
Deadly flooding in Central Texas caused a dock to detach and float away near Lake Buchanan.
A flash flood warning is in effect until noon for Burnet and portions of Williamson and Travis counties, while a flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. Streams and rivers are swelling, and officials are urging people to move to higher ground if they’re near rising waters.
The areas with the most flooding are likely east of the Colorado River, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
MORE: Texas flooding: At least 27 people are dead, search continues for missing in Kerr Co.
Here is the latest by county:
Travis County flooding
Travis County Judge Andy Brown has issued a disaster declaration in response to the flooding.
Under the direction of Judge Brown, the Travis County Office of Emergency Management is actively responding to assist multiple communities, including the Cow Creek area and other regions impacted by heavy rainfall and rising waterways.
Travis County emergency officials said a teenager was possibly swept away near Cow Creek. A search is underway. A body was found in a flooded area near Nameless Road.
County officials will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, local municipalities, and public safety agencies to support ongoing emergency operations.
As of Saturday afternoon, emergency crews have conducted approximately two dozen water rescues in flood-affected areas. Additionally, Travis County STAR Flight remains on standby to assist. Search and rescue operations will remain ongoing until an all-clear is given by Judge Brown and emergency responders on the ground.
Lago Vista
Floodwaters in Lago Vista caused severe damage to roads, making them impassable in some places.
FM 1431, which connects Lago Vista and Marble Falls, suffered major damage in the flooding. The floodwaters tore chunks of asphalt from the roadway.
MORE: Texas flooding: Search and rescue efforts underway in Hill Country
Austin
The City of Austin has officially banned the use of city waterways due to recent heavy rainfall.
This includes using personal and commercial watercraft, wet bikes, motorized surfboards, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other similar devices on all waterways in Austin, including creeks and streams until noon, Monday, July 7.
Personal and commercial watercraft are prohibited from use on all Austin waterways, including:
- Barton Creek
- Bull Creek
- Lake Austin from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam
- Lady Bird Lake
- Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam
Residents and visitors are also urged to not use riverfront trails and move to higher ground. If you are near a riverbank for recreational use, please exit the areas now for your safety. Flash flooding can lead to water rising quickly.
Williamson County flooding
Williamson County Judge Steven Snell has issued a local disaster declaration in response to area flooding.
The Office of Emergency Management also activated its Emergency Operations Center at 5 a.m. on July 5 and additional county personnel were called in to respond to the flooding.
Areas in western Williamson County and along the South Fork of the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown have been evacuated, particularly mobile home parks. Swift water rescue teams have rescued up to 25 people, the majority from homes. Sixteen people were evacuated from Hope House in Liberty Hill.
Closed roads have been posted on www.atxfloods.com. Drivers can also check www.drivetexas.org for state roads.
Residents can register for local emergency alerts at www.warncentraltexas.org.
Information on flood safety and available resources is located on the county's website at www.wilcotx.gov.
Liberty Hill
West Liberty Hill in Williamson County was also hit hard by flash flooding, with several roads impassable.
Rainfall totals show the Liberty Hill area has received roughly 15 inches of rain.
One person was rescued in Liberty Hill overnight, and more were happening Saturday morning near the South Fork of the San Gabriel River. A temporary shelter has been established at Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill.
The National Weather Service issued a new flash flood warning Saturday for Round Rock, Cedar Park and Georgetown. It has since been extended until 2 p.m.
Liberty Hill and Leander are also under a flash flood emergency as of 11:31 a.m.
Georgetown
San Gabriel River in Georgetown
Video shows flooding on the San Gabriel River in Georgetown. (Source: Phoebe McPherson)
The Georgetown Police Department is asking residents of the Two Rivers, San Gabriel and Waters Edge apartments to evacuate due to the rising river levels. Shelter is available at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., and First United Methodist Church, 410 E. University Ave.
San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks are closed because of flooding in the San Gabriel River. Parts of College Street are also closed.
Police have also evacuated the animal shelter, the VFW Post, the Masonic Lodge, Holly Street Village and the San Gabriel Crisis Center. Shelter animals are being moved to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
Leander
Leander has closed all parks and trails until further notice due to severe flooding and the threat of more flooding. This included all park amenities and pavilion rentals
Burnet County flooding
4:00 p.m. - A Marble Falls volunteer firefighter told FOX 7 that two people were dead and two others are still missing, according to the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management.
Authorities there said they've also executed dozens of "swift water rescues," upwards of 50.
Earlier:
Officials there urged people to stay off the roads.
"The water may be DEEPER than you can see and FASTER than you can perceive," the Sheriff’s Office said. "There may be damage to the roadway that is not visible, causing you to become stuck or swept away. DO NOT DRIVE INTO FLOODED AREAS."
Click here to sign up for emergency alerts.
Burnet County was under a flash flood warning until 2 p.m., impacting communities including Burnet, Marble Falls, Bertram, Granite Shoals, and Horseshoe Bay.
Northeast Burnet County Fire & Rescue posted the above photo to Facebook, sharing that FM 963 between FM 1174 and Burnet has been washed out by floodwaters.
Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes, but stay home if they can. Low water crossings are also still flooded.
Comal County flooding
Officials in New Braunfels say that due to heavy rains causing a deterioration of river condition, recreational access to the Comal River is temporarily closed.
City officials expect to reevaluate conditions on Sunday morning to see if recreational activities can resume.
Residents and visitors are highly encouraged to avoid all recreation on both the Comal and Guadalupe rivers due to the heavy rains and be aware in areas along local rivers and creeks.
In addition to closing access to the river, the city has closed the Landa Park Aquatic Complex (including the Spring Fed Pool) and the city's recycling center for Saturday, July 5.
As of 10:57 a.m., only Common Street at Fair Lane is closed due to heavy rain, but officials say continued rain will likely prompt additional road closures, especially in low lying areas.
For the latest road closure information for the City of New Braunfels, click here..
Comal County is also under a flash flood emergency until 2:15 p.m.
Kerr County flooding deaths
Texas Deadly Flooding: At least 27 dead in Kerrville
Kerrville officials give an update on the deadly flooding in the area. Search and rescue efforts are still underway.
6 p.m. - Officials in Central Texas said Saturday afternoon that at least 43 were dead in Kerr County as crews continued to search for those missing.
Among those killed, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 28 were adults and 15 were children.
MORE: Flooding in Texas: Families of missing campers ask for help
Earlier:
Officials warned against conducting independent searches as roads started to clear on Saturday.
"We know everybody wants to get help as the roads start clearing up, you're going to you're going to want to get out there," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said. "We are in constant communication with, you know, with families. We're in constant communication with with those around. And so we will continue to effortlessly have partners."
The City of Kerrville has established a Reunification Intake Line for parents of unaccounted-for campers: 830-258-1111. Call that number with the name of your missing camper and you'll be given more information.
For all other missing persons, call 830-257-8181. Do not go to any other location, including area funeral homes, in an attempt to locate missing persons.
Kerrville police also say that at the current time, they do not need volunteers and are asking people not to "self deploy".
The Source: This report includes information from the Burnet County Sheriff's Office, Travis County ESD 1, Georgetown Police Department, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha and FOX 7 meteorologist Adaleigh Rowe.