AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several areas across Central Texas are experiencing flash flooding as rain continues to move through the area.
11 a.m.: As of now, 57 low water crossings are closed across Central Texas, according to ATXFloods.com. Several of those closures are in western Travis and Williamson counties. There are also several closures in Llano County, as well as further southeast in Caldwell County.
10:30 a.m.: The City of Marble Falls has canceled its Lakeside Park Independence Celebration due to the weather.
“The safety of our residents, visitors and staff remains our top priority,” a post on social media read. “With floodgate operations still underway on Lake Marble Falls and many of our first responders and resources assisting our surrounding neighbors, we need to keep the focus where it is needed most.”
Kerr County
Officials gave an update Saturday morning on the ongoing search for survivors from the flash floods that hit along the Guadalupe River. At a 10:00 a.m. briefing, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice confirmed that floods killed at least 27 people. Nine children are among the dead.
Rice said 27 people were missing from Camp Mystic, a girls’ camp along the river. More people are reported missing, but officials did not have an exact number.
Search and rescue operations will continue until all people are accounted for, according to officials. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said that so far, more than 850 people have been evaluated and are uninjured.
Joe Herring, Jr., the mayor of Kerville, said a fund has been set up by the Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country.
“People need to know today will be a hard day… it will be a hard day,” Herring said.
Georgetown
The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management advised some residents to evacuate in Georgetown Saturday morning.
Georgetown Police advised 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 the First United Methodist Church (410 E. University Ave.).
The evacuations would be for residents of mobile home parks along the San Gabriel River east of the city.
According to the office, evacuations would include Riverside, Shady River and Goodwater.
Williamson County said a Flash Flood Warning was in effect for the western portion of the county until 10 a.m. and for the South Fork of the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown through early Sunday afternoon.
The Georgetown Police Department said San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks were closed due to the river’s flooding.
Burnet
First responders in Burnet County reported nearly 20 water rescues Saturday morning as flood waters move through Central Texas.
According to the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management, first responders were working 18 different water rescues in the area.
The office said several roads in the area were inaccessible, including:
- Highway 29 to Hamilton Creek
- Between Burnet and Bertram
The city of Burnet said for those affected by flooding or in need of a safe place to go, the Burnet Community Center, located at 401 E. Jackson St., was open for evacuations.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a Flash Flood Emergency was in effect for Burnet County shortly after 5 a.m.
NWS said so far, 5-12” of rain has occurred, and an additional 2-5” was possible.