Dozens of water rescues as heavy rain floods parts of Central Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — First responders across Central Texas spent the early hours on Saturday scrambling to rescue dozens of people from rising floodwaters, primarily in Burnet County along with western Travis and Williamson counties.

The heaviest rain fell near Bertram and Burnet, where a foot or more was measured in Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) rain gauges. Emergency Management Coordinator for Burnet County Derek Marchio told KVUE first responders had conducted 25 water rescues all before 8 a.m. Saturday. By 3:30, officials had conducted more than 40 rescues.

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.

Marchio also said U.S. highways 29 and 281 – major corridors through the county – were impassible due to flooding, along with many other roads.

His advice to residents was simply to stay home and not to attempt to get out on the roads.

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.

At around 7 p.m., the county said there were no confirmed deaths but three people were still missing.

Williamson County emergency management officials have advised residents of mobile home parks along the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown to evacuate. Residents in Riverside, Shady River and Goodwater should evacuate to the East View High School parking lot at 4490 E. University Ave. in Georgetown. Residents in the area of Bear Creek and CR 200 and the Rio Bonita RV Park should evacuate to the Cross Tracks Church at 101 Church St. in Liberty Hill.

Sixteen people were evacuated from Hope House in Liberty Hill.

KVUE Senior Reporter Tony Plohetski also talked to sources in Austin-Travis County EMS. Officials 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.

ATCEMS reported a water rescue at 24411 Cottonwood Drive at 2:18 a.m. as officials were working to access three people stuck in their home with floodwaters rising. ATCEMS boat teams eventually made access to the area and found dozens of people in need of help, clinging to trees, power poles and on rooftops. Rescuers evacuated 25 people from the area, and 10 were taken to a family assistance center.

Four people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, ATCEMS said.

Around 3 a.m., first responders were called to the scene of a water rescue at 24316 Colorado Canyon Drive in Marble Falls after three people were reportedly on a dock that broke loose and floated downstream. By around 8:40 a.m., ATCEMS said all three people were located and moved to safety.

Just before 5 p.m., the Austin Fire Department reported a vehicle rescue in the 4800 block of E. Yager Lane, near Manor, after a car reportedly drove into a creek.

Parts of FM 1431 between Cedar Park and Marble Falls were flooded on Saturday morning as well. KVUE crews hit a road block just east of Jonestown, where Big Sandy Creek was flowing over the highway.

A disaster declaration has been declared in Travis County as well.

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