Severe flooding results in seven reported deaths across Burnet and Travis Counties, updates are live.
Central Texas Flash Flood Emergency: Death Toll Rises, Rescue Operations Intensify
A flash flood emergency continues to grip central Texas, with multiple counties reporting fatalities, missing persons, and widespread damage. The situation is particularly dire in Kerr County, where 24 people have died and dozens are still unaccounted for.
The floods began on Saturday morning when a reported 10 inches of rain fell in under three hours in Travis County, triggering flash flood emergencies in Travis, Williamson, and Burnet counties. The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous and life-threatening flooding in these areas, with the potential for catastrophic damage.
The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 24 people in the Hill Country, with many of the deceased still unidentified due to the lack of identification on some bodies. In the Austin area, which includes parts of Travis, Williamson, and Burnet counties, 12 people are reported missing. The situation is being closely monitored as rescue efforts continue.
Evacuation orders have been issued in several areas, although many residents were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. In Kerr County, there were no mandatory evacuation orders issued before the floods, and many residents were unable to evacuate in time.
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings and emergencies for several areas, including Kerr County and parts of Travis, Williamson, and Burnet counties. Governor Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 15 counties affected by the flooding.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the floods began, with dozens of water rescues reported in Kerr County and over 50 rescues in the Burnet County area. Emergency crews have conducted approximately two dozen water rescues in flood-affected areas.
The Lower Colorado River Authority has advised people to avoid lakes in the area due to flood debris and increased bacteria levels. A waterway ban has been issued in Austin to prevent the use of personal and commercial watercraft on affected waterways.
Shelter is available for evacuated residents at the Georgetown Recreation Center and the First United Methodist Church. The City of Kyle has issued a Flood Watch for Hays County until 7 p.m. Saturday evening, and the City of Austin has prohibited the use of Austin waterways until noon, July 7th.
The National Weather Service continues to warn of the potential for further flooding and advises residents to stay informed and follow all emergency instructions. For the latest updates on the Central Texas flash flood emergency, please visit your local news outlet or emergency management website.
In the midst of the Central Texas Flash Flood Emergency, the death toll has risen to 24, and 12 people are reported missing in the general-news sector of Austin. Additionally, politics and crime-and-justice are intertwined as rescue operations intensify, with over 50 water rescues reported in the crime-and-justice-affected Burnet County area.
