Uprooted trees, destroyed lamp posts and overturned mobile homes dot the Georgetown-area landscape July 7 following a deadly flood in Central Texas over the July 4 holiday weekend.

While Williamson County officials continue to search for missing people, a few city residents told Community Impact what the catastrophic event was like.

What they’re saying

Georgetown resident Debbie Spivey traveled to San Gabriel Park for an early morning walk July 5. While trying to make her way toward Blue Hole Park, she was turned around by fast-moving water.

“While I was videoing, you could see the water coming towards my feet,” Spivey said. “I took the high ground every chance I got.”

After hearing about the floods, Georgetown resident Skylar Smith drove to San Gabriel Park on July 5. Smith said he witnessed the water level rise 30 feet.

“You could watch the huge wave down where the bridge washed out all the trees, everything,” Smith said. “I mean, it's pretty devastating.”

Robert Harbour lives at Two Rivers Apartments near downtown Georgetown, which is right off the San Gabriel River. When living in Miami, Florida, Harbour said it was not uncommon to get hurricanes. He compared the rising water on July 5 to a high tide coming in.

“The most amazing thing about it was the speed at which the water was flowing through the two bridges,” Harbour said. “[I’ve] never seen that before.”

Residents of recreational vehicle parks along the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown were advised to evacuate to East View High School, Community Impact previously reported.

Two RV parks just outside city limits along Hwy. 29—Shady River RV Resort and GoodWater RV Park—were hit hard by the floods.

Jason Hale with nonprofit Street Ministries 25:40 of Rockdale was outside Shady River RV Resort the morning of July 7 providing food, water and hygiene products to people in need.

“We’re really just out here trying to help and serve and do what we can,” Hale said.

Looking ahead

Rescue efforts are still underway as the search continues for one confirmed missing person and one suspected missing person, Williamson County Judge Steven Snell said during a July 7 news conference.

One hundred first responders and volunteers from neighboring cities and Milam County are aiding in search operations along the San Gabriel River, Williamson County Sheriff Matthew Lindemann said at the conference.

“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.