Travis County says damage assessment from deadly flooding will take weeks

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Travis County officials and local emergency agencies provided an update on Sunday morning on the county’s response to widespread flooding that has led to several confirmed deaths in the area. 

It comes after Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued a disaster declaration to expedite emergency coordination and response efforts.

The county said the declaration enables faster access to critical services, including debris removal, road clearance, search and rescue operations, and support for displaced residents. County officials have also requested state and federal assistance to bolster local resources.

Travis County spokesperson Hector Nieto confirmed that a body was discovered in the Briarcliff area of western Travis County. According to Chief Donnie Norman with Travis County Emergency Services District 1, two others were found dead as crews responded to dozens of rescues in northwest Travis County, mostly along Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek. A fourth death was confirmed Saturday evening. 

Travis County emergency responders performed dozens of water rescues Saturday. 

Brown said crews with Travis County Emergency Services District 1 are continuing rescue efforts in the area of Nameless Road along Big Sandy Creek, west of Leander, as well as along Cow Creek Road and FM 1431 northwest of Lago Vista. Dozens of residents in that area were rescued on Saturday after being evacuated from high water.

Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said the department received 49 flood-related calls around 1 a.m. Saturday, and 112 flood-related calls by 3 a.m. Rescue efforts were complicated by road access being cut off due to flooding. TCSO special response teams later went door to door to check on residents in flood-affected areas.

In a press conference on Saturday in Kerr County, Gov. Greg Abbott extended an existing disaster declaration to several counties, including Travis County.