Heavy rain in Central Texas leaves 3 dead, 10 missing in Travis County

AUSTIN, Texas — Three people are confirmed dead and at least 10 people are missing in Travis County – including a teenage girl who was witnessed being washed away – as heavy rain continues to fall throughout Central Texas on Saturday.

Travis County spokesperson Hector Nieto confirms that a body has been discovered in the Briarcliff area of western Travis County. 

According to Chief Donnie Norman with Travis County Emergency Services District 1, crews have responded to dozens of rescues in northwest Travis County, mostly along Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek. No other details are available at this time.

It comes as first responders across Central Texas spent Saturday scrambling to rescue dozens of people from rising floodwaters, including in Burnet County and Williamson counties.

Emergency Management Coordinator for Burnet County Derek Marchio told KVUE first responders had conducted 25 water rescues all before 8 a.m. Saturday.

Emergency officials in Burnet County are also searching for a fire official who appears to have been swept away by floodwaters early Saturday. The man was responding to a call when he drove into water and his vehicle was washed away.

The emergency vehicle was since recovered but the man was not inside.

Williamson County has issued a disaster declaration in response to the flooding on Saturday.

The Office of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center at 5 a.m. on Saturday in order to coordinate resources and request assistance from the state. Additional personnel have been called in to respond to the flooding.

Up to 25 people have been rescued in the county, the majority from homes.

Austin-Travis County EMS officials also reported dozens of water rescues, many of which were along Cow Creek, west of Lago Vista. Crews have found remnants of mobile homes that appear to have been carried downstream, but they are uncertain whether the homes were occupied when they were swept away.

The flash flood threat will continue through the day Saturday as rain continues to fall over Central Texas.