Monday

07-07-2025 Vol 2014

Deadly Flash Floods Hit Central Texas, Search Efforts Underway

At least 10 people have lost their lives and several are still unaccounted for following devastating flash floods that swept through Travis, Williamson, and Burnet counties this past Saturday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is currently under a flood watch for Central Texas, which will remain in effect until 10 p.m. Sunday.

This alert encompasses regions including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Burnet, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties, indicating that flooding is possible, although it has not yet occurred everywhere.

However, should flooding become imminent, the NWS will upgrade alerts to flood warnings or flash flood warnings based on the situation’s severity.

Emergency services have confirmed that search operations are actively in progress to locate those reported missing, particularly in affected areas such as Sandy Creek and Cow Creek.

Numerous road closures have been reported across Northwest Austin, Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Marble Falls, making navigation challenging for residents and emergency responders alike.

In Travis County, six fatalities have been confirmed, as stated by county officials during a Sunday press conference held by County Judge Andy Brown.

He also mentioned that multiple individuals remain missing, although he could not provide a precise count at this time.

Austin-Travis County EMS reported that they had rescued 25 individuals from the northwestern region of the county.

Sheriff Sally Hernandez noted a dramatic surge in flood-related emergency calls, escalating from 49 calls at 1 a.m. Saturday to 112 by 3 a.m.

“As daylight arrived and the extent of the devastation was painfully clear, our rescue efforts continued,” Hernandez remarked during the briefing.

She elaborated that their special response teams conducted door-to-door checks on those who had called 911 during the night hours.

Both Brown and local emergency management officials credited the NWS for its proactive communication of alerts and warnings regarding the flooding situation.

Travis County Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter cautioned that it is too early to determine whether any of the flood-related deaths could have been prevented.

For individuals and families affected by the floods who require immediate assistance such as shelter, clothing, food, or water, officials urged them to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

Property damage claims can be reported to the Texas Department of Emergency Management.

Brown also advised against any recreational activities on local lakes for the foreseeable future, as emergency crews remain engaged in their recovery and debris-clearing operations.

In a separate update, Austin Independent School District Superintendent Matias Segura communicated via email that families within the district were affected by the flooding incidents in Kerr County.

In Williamson County, one individual has been confirmed dead due to the flooding, with two others still missing.

Sheriff Matthew Lindeman shared during a Sunday news briefing that 911 calls began flowing in prior to 2 a.m. on Saturday, reporting rising waters over roadways specifically in the Liberty Hill area.

After 5 a.m., additional calls were received from distant western Williamson County concerning floodwater inundating homes.

Lindeman detailed an incident involving two individuals who were trapped in a vehicle on FM 1869, just west of Liberty Hill, when it became stalled in high water before 7 a.m.

While one individual managed to escape, the other was swept away and has yet to be located.

After dawn on Saturday, deputies began a systematic search of RV parks situated in low-lying areas along Highway 29 east of Georgetown, advising residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Most heeded the warnings.

However, one individual had to be rescued later that day by swift-water rescue teams from the sheriff’s office and Parks & Wildlife.

Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office later received calls regarding a vehicle that had been swept away from County Road 284, also located west of Liberty Hill.

The vehicle was discovered subsequently, partially submerged, with no occupants visible.

It wasn’t until the waters began to recede later on Saturday that officials recovered a body near the vehicle.

Search operations continued both on the ground and from the air on Sunday for the two individuals reported missing.

Additionally, a boil water notice was issued Saturday afternoon for parts of Georgetown due to a line break likely prompted by the flooding.

In Burnet County, three fatalities have been confirmed, with five individuals reported missing.

Local officials indicated that 93 rescues had been conducted, primarily around Cow Creek and Hamilton Creek, where numerous life-threatening situations were encountered.

Capt. Mike Sorenson of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office described various distress situations such as individuals stranded in cars, on top of cars, in trees, surrounded by water in their homes, and on rooftops.

The Sheriff’s Office has been collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies in these rescue operations, with Major General Thomas M. Suelzer from the Texas National Guard confirming that emergency personnel are indeed actively assisting in Burnet County, where they have executed five air evacuations.

Sorenson noted a shift in operations, moving from the rescue phase to focusing on recovery efforts.

“We may never find some of these folks, unfortunately,” he remarked, “but we are still searching.”

For real-time information regarding road closures and areas to avoid, the Sheriff’s Office has made a list available on its Facebook page.

Due to difficulties with phone lines, officials have requested that individuals call 911 for emergencies.

image source from:kut

Benjamin Clarke