Officials working in Williamson County saved 26 people in 10 rescue operations after floods swept through the area July 5, according to a 7:01 p.m. news release.
No deaths are confirmed, however three people are still missing, per the release. The Hope Houseโa home near Liberty Hill for children with disabilitiesโwas evacuated by helicopter with assistance from Fort Hood, per the release.
About 1,500 residents were notified to evacuate, and the Williamson Countyโs Sheriffโs Office notified 55 residents by making door-to-door contact.
Drivers should avoid driving past barricades or through water flowing over a road, as the road could have washed away or might be unsafe, per the release. A total of 29 county roads were closed July 5 due to water over the roadway, per the release.
The county remains under a flood watch until 10 p.m. July 5. Authorities recommend evacuated residents wait until daylight July 6 to safely return to areas that previously flooded.
Posted July 5, 5:35 p.m.
As high-water conditions persist, Williamson County officials said three people are missing, Director of Communications and Media Relations Connie Odom said in a 5:15 p.m. email to Community Impact.
What they’re saying
There have been no confirmed deaths and no Emergency Medical Services transports as a result of rescues, Odom said.
Additionally, 37 dogs and 75 cats were evacuated from the Georgetown Animal Shelter to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Odom said.
What else?
Georgetown officials have issued a boil water notice for 10 neighborhoods near I-35 due to a nearby water main break likely related to the flood conditions.
Find more information about which neighborhoods are affected and how to properly boil water here.
Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said in a 5 p.m. Facebook post the city has decided to issue a disaster declaration. This comes after Gov. Greg Abbott added Williamson County to his previously issued state disaster declaration.
Communications Manager Keith Hutchinson said the city’s police and fire department have reported no water rescues or injuries as a result of the flooding.
Updated July 5, 4:05 p.m.
Williamson County is under a flood watch until 10 p.m. July 5, according to the National Weather Service.
Due to the possibility of water continuing to rise, Williamson County officials are not recommending evacuated people to return until daylight July 6, Director of Communications and Media Relations Connie Odom said in an email to Community Impact.
Anywhere from 1-3 inches of additional rainfall are possible for areas near Austin and San Antonio, with some isolated pockets receiving as much as 5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
County officials are continuing several rescue operations which began late July 4, most of which are residential, Odom said. As of 3:29 p.m. July 5, 27 county roads are closed in Williamson County, she said.
The National Weather Service encourages residents to avoid flooded areas and not drive into flooded roadways. Excessive runoff could result in dangerous flash floodings by low-lying areas, rivers, creeks and low water crossings.
Posted July 5, noon
Williamson County Judge Steve Snell declared a local state of disaster in response to rising flood waters, according to a 11:57 a.m. press release from the county.
According to the release, water rescue teams have aided up to 25 people, the majority of which were rescued from homes. There were 16 people evacuated from Hope House in Liberty Hill.
The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center at 5 a.m. July 5, according to the release. The center is coordinating resources and requesting assistance from the state as additional county personnel are responding to the flooding.
Original, July 5 11:50 a.m.
Williamson County and city of Georgetown officials are recommending some residents in the Georgetown and Liberty Hill areas evacuate as the San Gabriel River floods and the region continues to see persistent rain.
What we know
The city of Georgetown is evacuating the Georgetown Animal Shelter, VFW Post, Holly Street Village and San Gabriel Crisis Center due to flooding at College Street and W.L Walden Drive, according to a 10:25 a.m. update posted to Facebook.
Earlier this morning, residents of the Two Rivers, San Gabriel and Waters Edge apartment complexes were advised to evacuate, a 9:15 a.m. update stated.
Emergency shelter is available at:
- Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown
- First United Methodist Church, 410 E. University Ave., Georgetown
Animals from the shelter are being relocated to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
Additionally, those near the Bear Creek and CR 200 area as well as residents of the Rio Bonita RV park in Liberty Hill are advised to evacuate to Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill, according to a Williamson County Emergency Services Facebook post from 8:15 a.m.
Residents of RV parks along the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown, including Riverside, Shady River Goodwater, and those near Heritage Hollow and FM 971 were advised to evacuate to East View High School, according to the post.
Furthermore, the city of Georgetown has closed San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks as well as portions of College Street due to flooding.
As of 11 a.m., the Austin Avenue bridges have also been closed to vehicles and pedestrians. The city cites concerns about the number of people stopping on the bridges as well as the potential for debris to hit the bridges as the reason for the closures.
The conditions
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for southwestern and south central Williamson Countyโwhich includes portions of Georgetown, Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park and the Jollyville areaโuntil 1 p.m.
Residents can find up-to-date road closures at www.atxfloods.com and www.drivetexas.com, according to the county.
While the city of Cedar Park has seen minimal impacts of the flooding, according to a city news alert, it has dispatched Cedar Park Fire personnel to assist Liberty Hill responders with rescue operations.
โThe devastation from this ongoing flooding has profoundly affected us all,โ Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin said in the release. โOur hearts go out to every family, every neighbor, and every business affected by this disaster.โ
The story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.