PHOTO: CBS AUSTIN
Travis County Flooding Crisis: Death Toll Rises as Communities Remain Cut Off
Austin, Texas – Travis County continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of catastrophic flooding that began on July 4th weekend, with the death toll now reaching nine people locally, with four others still unaccounted for.
Current Casualty Numbers
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed nine deaths related to the recent flooding, with officials identifying five additional victims in recent days. Statewide, the flooding has become one of Texas’s deadliest natural disasters in recent memory, with at least 129 people confirmed dead in central Texas floods and 173 still missing according to the latest reports.
The tragedy extends beyond Travis County, with the most devastating single incident occurring at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where 27 girls went missing after the Guadalupe River flooded the Christian retreat. Texas Rangers on Friday identified Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal, 8, as a victim of Camp Mystic, highlighting the human cost of this disaster. (KHOU-TV)
Sandy Creek Community Devastated
The Sandy Creek neighborhood in western Travis County has emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas in the Austin region. The neighborhood, just outside the Leander city limits, was one of the worst-hit communities during flash floods that swept through the Austin area over the weekend.
What we know about the flood victims in Travis County. (KUT 90.5)
Emergency responders conducted dramatic rescue operations in the area, with twenty-five people rescued from the Sandy Creek neighborhood on July 4 after Austin-Travis County EMS boat teams found residents “clinging to trees, power poles, and on rooftops” according to emergency services reports.
The flooding has left several roads, vehicles and homes damaged in the Sandy Creek area, with residents now in recovery and cleanup mode. The search for missing people – and the recovery effort – continues along Big Sandy Creek in Western Travis County as authorities work to account for all residents.
In the meantime, residents in the neighborhood are cut off.
“Emotions are boiling, we’ve had enough. We just want to leave, and we’re stuck here.” — Abraham Stallins, resident of Sandy Creek
A Sandy Creek bridge washout has isolated 500 residents from northwest Travis County, severely disrupting daily life and access to essential services…and frustration is mounting.
Lake Travis Recreation Suspended
In response to the flooding’s impact on water infrastructure, Travis County Parks has implemented significant restrictions on Lake Travis recreation. Due to flooding impacts, all Lake Travis boat ramps operated by Travis County Parks will remain closed to the public until additional hazards can be addressed.
The closure affects all recreational boating activities, with access limited to watercraft retrieval only. Additionally, county officials are highly discouraging swimming in Lake Travis due to safety concerns stemming from the flooding.
Ongoing Emergency Response
The scale of the disaster has required extensive emergency response coordination. By 3 a.m., they received 112 calls related to flooding during the height of the crisis, with two boat teams active in Travis County during rescue operations.
Emergency management officials continue to shift from active rescue operations to recovery and cleanup efforts as the immediate danger subsides.
Following recent severe flooding, Governor Greg Abbott requested that additional counties, including Williamson, be added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration. This request was approved, making Williamson County residents eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance programs.
One family in Georgetown lost everything.
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the search for missing Marble Falls Fire Chief Michael Phillips is still ongoing.
The search for over 170 people missing in Central Texas after devastating flash floods is entering its tenth day today.
Search efforts are ongoing for individuals lost in the debris following the catastrophic July 4 storm. The storm caused the Guadalupe River to rise to nearly unprecedented levels.
Officials report that 161 people are known to be missing in Kerr County alone.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” — Texas Country Reporter
Officials stated that more than 12,300 volunteers have given their time to assist with search and rescue and recovery efforts in Kerr County. This is in addition to over 2,000 local, state, and federal personnel involved in the operations
Authorities are urging volunteers to register with official relief groups rather than “self-deploy” into affected areas as search and rescue efforts for several missing people continue. (Austin American-Statesman)
Kerrville’s mayor sent out a message Saturday…
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a nonprofit used to doling out just a few million dollars annually to rural needs, announced that it received more than $30 million in one week for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. (Austin Business Journal)
While Camp Mystic was licensed by the state of Texas and a member of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress (which aims to raise health and safety standards), the ACA is described as the only nationwide accrediting organization for all year-round and summer camps, with standards focusing on safety and risk management. Reports indicate that the ACA confirmed Camp Mystic was not accredited with their organization, nor were eight other nearby camps in Kerr County.
Katherine Ferruzzo, 19, was the only Camp Mystic counselor unaccounted for until Friday. Her family announced yesterday her body was located. She was planning to attend the University of Texas this fall. (Austin American-Statesman)
Two people are dead following a shooting at a Round Rock apartment complex Saturday.
San Marcos police said three people were arrested early Saturday morning for a series of vehicle break-ins. (FOX7 Austin)
38-year-old Frank Horton Lee Jr. was allegedly found possessing a .45 ACP caliber semiautomatic pistol following a traffic stop by Austin police officers on May 24. Lee appeared in federal court on Friday. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. (CBS Austin)
Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax has unveiled his proposed $6.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The spending plan, released late Friday, is designed to be balanced despite a projected $33 million shortfall in the General Fund. This shortfall is attributed to factors like the state’s 3.5% cap on property tax rates, lower-than-expected sales tax revenue, and cuts in federal funding.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Torrential rain overnight has led to the rapid rise of the Lampasas River, leading to a Flash Flood Emergency for San Saba County.
A state court on Friday ordered records in the divorce of Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas to be sealed, a day after his wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, filed a petition that accused Mr. Paxton of adultery. (New York Times)
What are ‘Biblical grounds’ for divorce—and do Texas courts care? (Chron)
Cameron County has given SpaceX the green light to build an air separator facility, which will be located less than 300 feet from the region’s sand dunes, frustrating locals concerned about the impact on vegetation and wildlife. (Texas Tribune)
Country music legend George Strait announced plans to host a benefit concert for those affected by the floods in the Texas Hill Country, according to a news release.
The release said that Strait will host an intimate donor dinner and concert on July 27 in Boerne. (Rolling Stone via MSN)
Benjamin Song is still on the run.
Song is wanted by the FBI for an ambush attack on a police officer outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado on July 4, involving 12 individuals who lured officers out and attempted to attack them.
Texas meteorologist Troy Kimmel, U.S. Rep. Keith Self, and state Rep. Mihaela Plesa spoke about Hill Country flooding, the special session, and Trump’s tax, spending bill.
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC drew 0-0 with New England Revolution on Saturday night at Q2 Stadium. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
MLB: State bragging rights will be on the line today in Houston as the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are tied 1-1 in their weekend series.
Zack Short hit a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning after Christian Walker tied it with a sacrifice fly and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Saturday night.
The Rangers won Friday night’s game.
Houston hasn’t lost a season series with division rival Texas since 2016. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST STANDINGS
The Granny Basketball tournament in North Texas is a national championship for women aged 50 and above, featuring teams playing in 1920s-style uniforms including bloomers, long-sleeved white shirts, and distinctive socks in the first-ever Texas-hosted event in Fort Worth.
Another exciting episode of the classic radio series Tales of the Texas Rangers.
Episode: “Hitchhiker” from February 10, 1952.
