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At least four people in Travis County died after heavy rains caused flooding over the weekend of July 4, officials said during a news conference the morning of July 6.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown said an estimated 11 to 13 people are missing, however that number is still unconfirmed.
The area is still under a flash flood watch until 7 p.m. July 6, according to the National Weather Service.
The details
The 911 call center received a surge in calls on July 5, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said. At 1 a.m., dispatchers received 49 calls which reached 112 calls related to the flood by 3 a.m..
“Flood waters rose so quickly that roadway access to many of those callers were completely cut off,” Hernandez said.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing through July 6, she said.
Brown said a total of about 50 rescues were conducted in the county during the flood. Robert Luckritz, Austin-Travis County EMS chief, said a total of 25 people were rescued by ATCEMS teams, with four being transported to local hospitals with non life threatening emergencies.
On July 5, Brown issued a disaster declaration. A disaster declaration helps coordinate debris removal, search and rescue operations and public information operations. Damage assessments, debris removal and recovery operations will “still take days and weeks,” Brown said.
What residents need to know
Officials are urging residents to avoid recreational use of local lakes, as flood debris poses a safety risk. Lake Travis has risen more than 11 feet since the morning of July 4, according to The Lower Colorado River Authority.
Those with damages to their homes are encouraged to report it to www.damages.tdem.texas.gov to help keep track of total damages due to the storm.
Those who are in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
Quote of note
“We've been through a lot the last few days, but we're Travis County, and we're going to get through this together,” Brown said. “We are committed to doing everything possible to protect lives, help families recover and rebuild stronger than before.”
