Search and rescue crews recovered the body of the third missing flood victim in Williamson County on July 8.
This brings the county’s death toll to three. In a July 8 press conference, Gov. Greg Abbott said there are 109 confirmed fatalities across the state following a catastrophic flood over the July 4 weekend.
In the Kerr County area, where the Guadalupe River flooded, seven people are confirmed to be missing and another 161 are known to be missing, Abbott said. These people were not registered at a campsite or hotel, but have been reported missing by family and friends, he said.
Zooming out
According to a July 8 county news release issued at 4:11 p.m., the county is in its recovery phase as road and bridge crews clear and repair damaged roads. In total, 11 county roads are closed, with four roads receiving pavement damage.
After initial damage assessments, 38 properties have been categorized as having major damage or being destroyed, per the release. County officials will release available resources for private property debris removal at a later date.
What residents should know
Individuals may call the crisis cleanup hotline at 512-201-4814, which matches volunteers with people who are in need of assistance after a disaster. The crisis cleanup will take any request but cannot guarantee assistance, per the release.
Williamson County Commissioners Court will hold a special meeting at 10:30 a.m. July 11 at 710 S. Main St., Georgetown, to discuss public health and safety concerns related to the flood. The meeting will be livestreamed here.
Flood resources, safety tips, disaster declarations and more can be found at www.wilcotx.gov/julyflood.
Updated July 8, 2:56 p.m.
Williamson County officials have identified the second recovered flood victim as 64-year-old Sherry Richardson of Liberty Hill.
One person from Williamson County remains missing, according to a July 8 county news release. The city of Leander is leading the search for a suspected missing person for an area outside the county’s jurisdiction.
About 175 first responders from nearby and as far away as Brownsville began searching at 8 a.m. July 8 in the Liberty Hill area. Officials are focused on clearing brush and vegetation with all-terrain vehicles, boats, drones and K9s, per the release.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office asks individuals to not fly personal drones, as they interfere with public safety operations.
"We are so grateful for the support from our cities and fellow counties to aid us in the search,” County Judge Steve Snell said in the release. “Williamson County is a strong and resilient community that helps one another. While we have a long road ahead, we are up to the task.”
Posted July 7, 4:16 p.m
County Judge Steven Snell led a Williamson County press conference July 7, where he announced two confirmed deaths after the July 5 floods, as well as information about additional rescue plans, road closures and community services.
What we know
Two people in Williamson County have died after the floods swept through Central Texas on July 5, Snell said.
The first victim identified was 22-year-old Kaitlyn Swallow from Liberty Hill, who was found on the night of July 5 underneath a vehicle at CR 284, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The remains of a second individual were recovered by the Liberty Hill Fire Department around 5 p.m. July 6, Sheriff Matthew Lindemann said. The person’s name has not yet been released.
Rescue efforts are still in effect today as the search continues for one confirmed missing person and one suspected missing person, Snell said. Leander is leading the search for the suspected missing person.
“We're going to utilize every resource possible to try to find that person and get his body reunited with his family,” Lindemann said.
One hundred first responders and volunteers from Liberty Hill, Milam County, Taylor, Jarrell, Hutto, Georgetown and Round Rock are aiding in search operations along the San Gabriel River, according to Lindemann.
“Recovery efforts today are focusing on the San Gabriel, specifically the South Fork of the San Gabriel from the county line to the west all the way to [Hwy.] 183,” Lindemann said.
The local impact
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has dispatched 24 personnel, including those from Galveston and Houston fire departments, to assist with damage assessment, said Bruce Clements, emergency management director for Williamson County.
These personnel will help with documenting damage from the flood, including that to homes, roads, bridges and infrastructure, Clements said. A final damage assessment is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Documentation of flood damages will be used to assist in the disaster declaration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. Rep. John Carter will work with the federal government to assist in getting Williamson County access to FEMA resources, Snell said.
Residents of Williamson County who have been impacted by the flood are encouraged to report damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Looking ahead
Snell urged residents to avoid impacted areas, including rivers, and to be mindful of road closures.
“We have everyone focused on recovering the missing; we don't need to add to those emergency recovery services,” Snell said.
Williamson County road and bridge crews repaired and reopened CR 279 the afternoon of July 6, according to previous Community Impact reporting, but additional road closures are still in place.
Additionally, Snell referred community members who are looking to get involved to the Central Texas Community Foundation, and to pause making donations until specific needs are identified.
“I know once we get specific targeted areas that the community can assist—in terms of donations, volunteerism, targeted help—I know they're going to come out in droves,” Snell said.
