County officials are focused on locating the two missing people, one of which was swept from their vehicle during the early morning of July 5, officials said during an 11 a.m. news conference on July 6.
“We're working hard, and we will exhaust all efforts to find your loved ones and get them back to you,” Williamson County Sheriff Matthew Lindemann said.
What we know
At 6:58 a.m. July 5, an individual was reportedly swept away from a vehicle on FM 1869 west of Liberty Hill after two people in the vehicle had driven into the water, Lindemann said.
“The car was stalled; they both got out,” Lindemann said. “One was swept away. We're still looking for that person today.”
By 2:06 p.m., officials received reports of a second, partially submerged vehicle on CR 284 west of Liberty Hill, which fire crews located around 4:41 p.m, Lindemann said.
“They were able to search the interior of the vehicle and determine that no one was inside the car,” Lindemann said. “The water was still around that vehicle, and it was too dangerous to look further in that area.”
By around 10:30 p.m. July 5, officials received a call that a resident had returned to the partially submerged car at CR 284 after water receded, and discovered a body trapped underneath the vehicle.
“That was our one confirmed fatality,” Lindemann said.
The backstory
Williamson County’s Emergency Communications team began receiving calls reporting water over roads around 1:50 a.m. July 5, Lindemann said. A total of 10 rescue missions saved 27 people, including 16 people from Hope House and the Rio Ancho subdivision, both near Liberty Hill.
On July 4, Williamson County officials had sent part of the sheriff’s office swift water rescue team to Kerr County to assist with rescues. In the early hours of July 5, the rescue team was recalled after officials realized problems were arising in Williamson County, Lindemann said.
The impact
There are 29 county roads closed due to debris and damage. As water recedes, crews are working today to reopen roads and remove debris, Snell said. Six county roads that received pavement damage include:
- CR 279
- CR 257
- CR 236
- CR 207
- CR 200
- CR 126
The county is assembling recovery plans and beginning a preliminary damage assessment, Snell said. Residents can report their damage to damage.tdem.texas.gov.
Zooming in
The city of Georgetown sent officials to help unhoused people near the San Gabriel River to safety, County Judge Steven Snell said.
Parts of Georgetown will remain under a boil water notice until late July 7, according to a Georgetown Police Department Facebook post. Crews are working to restore water to customers by the afternoon of July 6.
The San Gabriel River is back within its banks, but Georgetown remains in a flood watch until 7 p.m. July 6, according to the post. Areas that remain closed include:
- Morrow Street through San Gabriel Park
- Most of College Street
- Heritage Gardens
- The South Austin Avenue bridge
- San Gabriel Park
- Chautauqua Park
- Blue Hole Park
- The Georgetown Animal Shelter
Snell thanked the swift water rescue team, the sheriff’s office, Emergency Medical Services, the Fire Marshal’s office and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for their efforts over the weekend.
Snell asked residents to wait until the county assesses its damages and needs, so officials may coordinate efforts to where they’re most needed.
The Georgetown Police Department’s Facebook post encourages people wishing to assist with clean up and recovery to reach out to local nonprofits. The city of Georgetown is coordinating a park and river cleanup and will share updates when available, per the post.
Gov. Greg Abbott declared July 6 a day of prayer for Texans impacted by the floods throughout Central Texas and the Hill Country over the holiday weekend.
“Pray for the lives lost, pray for the families left behind, and pray for our community who's suffering right now, not only Williamson County, but across the state of Texas,” Snell said.
