Uneasy calm between storms for Bastrop County River residents

The Colorado River is lower than it was last week. It's a welcomed sight for Art Cuellar but he knows it can quickly overflow into his neighborhood. It happened back in October and again a few days ago.

"And now we are kind of shook up," said Cuellar.

In an attempt to buy himself some peace of mind in a little time, Cuellar has placed rocks at the bottom of a set of stairs from his back yard to the river. The rocks serve as his early warning evacuation system.

"If it does keep coming first thing I'll do go down to the circle if I see the water over there coming this way again like I did the last time we're running up the hill there's a hill up there."

Efrain Mata recorded video of his residential area along Tucker hill lane as it was swamped by the flood waters. He also took pictures as he helped with evacuations. 

The water is gone, but Mata knows there's a risk it will happen again.

"It's crazy I just had a crazy feeling we did it anyway most the people who live in this coil de sac right here we all take care of one another," said Mata.

In past floods, Mata said there has been 2 to 3 feet of water in his house. He has added more tie downs to secure it and said he will not evacuated if there is another flood.

The break in the weather Thursday provided an opportunity for Bastrop County crews to ramp up repair efforts. For example, one lane of FM 2571 has reopened after a washout near Upton. There's still a lot more work to do and County Judge Paul Pape is trying not to burn out the crews

"To the extent that we can will manage our staff and allow some to take some time off to rest because because we don't know when the next cloudburst is going to happen or where," said Judge Pape.

Over the next few days several groups of volunteers are expected come into neighborhoods that were flooded and help with the cleanup.