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

AUSTIN, Texas — First responders across Central Texas spent the early hours Saturday scrambling to rescue dozens of people from rising floodwater, 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 rain gauges. The Emergency Management Coordinator for Burnet County, Derek Marchio, told KVUE they had conducted 25 water rescues all before 8 a.m. Saturday. 

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.

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

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

In Williamson County, emergency management officials have advised residents of mobile home parks along the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown to evacuate. Those include Riverside, Shady River, and Goodwater.

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