LIVE BLOG: Parts of Central Texas on alert as flash flooding risk continues

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Downpours capable of producing flash flooding continue to bring multiple inches of rain with Flash Flood Warnings across much of the northern Hill Country.

According to KXAN Meteorologist Tommy House, a flood threat remains overnight as additional showers and thunderstorms could produce flash flooding.

This comes less than 10 days after a deadly flash flood event moved through other parts of Central Texas.

Flash Flood Warnings

These are the current Flash Flood Warnings for the area.

Weather Resources

• Watches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is made
• Live Central Texas radar
• Central Texas rainfall totals
• Traffic map
• AtxFloods
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LATEST UPDATES

7:29 p.m. A Flood Watch has been issued for parts of Central Texas until Monday morning.

Below are the current Flood Watch in the area.

7:13 p.m. LCRA said one floodgate at Wirtz Damn and multiple floodgates at Starcke Dam will remain open until at least Monday. It could remain open longer due to changing conditions, LCRA said.

6:20 p.m. A mandatory evacuation was issued for San Saba County due to high flood levels forecasted, San Saba County Judge Jody Fauley posted an “Order of Mandatory Evacuation” letter on social media Sunday.

“This river is rising faster than it did on July 4. Please do not be in this designated area after 1 p.m. today,” Fauley said.

A mandatory evacuation is listed for residents or individuals of following areas in the City of San Saba, per the letter:

• South of the San Saba River
• East of Highway 16 (High Street
• North of Highway 190 (Wallace Street)

KXAN reached out to Fauley for more information on mandatory evacuations in the area and will update details.

5:02 p.m. KXAN reporter Grace Reader is in Sandy Creek today and spoke with Judge Brown, who said the new temporary bridge is near completion. The bridge was supposed to open this morning (July 13), but due to the rain and mud, it was delayed, according to Brown. Brown said depending on the weather, the bridge -hopefully- will officially open Monday morning.

4:37 p.m. All Flash Flood Warnings have been cancelled in Central Texas, according to KXAN Meteorologist Tommy House.

4:17 p.m. According to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for Bastrop County until 7 p.m. Possible minor flooding in low-lying areas and poor drainage areas may occur, said BCOEM.

2:04 p.m. KXAN reporter Mercedez Hernandez spoke with Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, who said deputies have been actively monitoring the area since this morning, including ongoing patrols. Aside from the three known road closures, no additional problem areas have been observed at this time.

1:44 p.m. Lakeway Police said power has been restored. At 12:43 p.m., Lakeway PD said Austin Energy reported power outages in the south part of the city, which impacted traffic signals.

1:37 p.m. Sheriff’s Office Updates:

• Lampasas – No evacuations taking place at the moment. For further information.
• Llano – No damage reports at the moment. No water rescues at the moment.

1:34 p.m. NWS: An extra round of moderate to occasional heavy rainfall will move over the Flash Flood warned area of Travis, Williamson, Blanco and Hays. Most of the new heavy rain cells are developing east of the metro cities.

1:23 p.m. Images of Sandy Creek near the mouth of Lake Travis.

1:03 p.m. Gov. Abbott: The State is making rescues in San Saba, Lampasas and Schleicher counties. Evacuations are taking place in Lampasas, Menard, Kimble and Sutton counties.

“We are expanding operations in all affected counties— all while monitoring the rising waters in Kerrville,” Abbott said.

12:57 p.m. The San Saba Sheriff’s Office said it has conducted one water rescue, and there was no damage to report. The office said evacuations in the area were on a voluntary basis and not mandatory.

12:43 p.m. Lakeway Police Department: Austin Energy is reporting power outages in the south part of the city, which could also affect some traffic signals. Please treat any intersections with non-working lights as a 4-way stop.

12:37 p.m. Travis County Emergency Services: Travis County Judge Andy Brown’s executive order has been amended. Only areas upstream from mile marker 36 and Sandy Creek Park are CLOSED. This ban does not apply to commercial operators, emergency personnel, or state and local agencies.

12:29 p.m. KXAN reporter Mercedez Hernandez said there was a lot of remaining damage from last weekend’s flood in Georgetown, and many trails and bridges remain closed due to damage.

12:28 p.m. KXAN reporter Mercedez Hernandez is in Georgetown monitoring flood risk. She sent in the video below showing rain runoff flowing into the San Gabriel River at the N College Street Bridge.

12:06 p.m. NWS: Flash Flood Warning continues for:

• Buchanan Dam, Texas
• Buchanan Lake Village, Texas
• Valley Spring, Texas
• Llano, Texas
• Cherry Spring, Texas

The warning expires at 3:45 p.m.

11:51 a.m. NWS: Flash Flood Warning including Cedar Park, Georgetown and Leander until 3 p.m.

11:46 a.m. Gov. Abbott: Texas Task Force One and Texas Parks & Wildlife are making swift water rescues in Lampasas County.

“We continue to monitor all counties with a focus on saving lives,” Abbott said.

11:35 a.m. Travis County ESD 1: “In preparation for potential severe weather and flooding, ESD1 is fully prepared and actively monitoring conditions. Our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, and all equipment has been thoroughly checked to ensure rapid response readiness.

“We are in direct communication with the Incident Command Post, and our mutual aid partners are also on standby. Additionally, state resources already in the area are ready for immediate deployment if needed.”

11:31 a.m. Texas Game Wardens are deployed to Brady, Eldorado, Kempner, Llano, San Saba, Sonora & addl. areas for search & rescue operations & have already rescued multiple people.

11:19 a.m. Lower Colorado River Authority: Travis County has amended its Lake Travis order. Recreational use is now prohibited only upstream of mile marker 36 and upstream of Sandy Creek Park. Commercial operators are still permitted.

LCRA said it continues to advise extra caution on all Highland Lakes due to flood debris and elevated bacteria levels.

10:55 a.m. The Llano River rose 14’ in 2 hours. It came down some, but then 5’ rise in the last hour. It was close to 8’ above flood stage by 11 a.m.

10:16 a.m. Flash Flood Warning continues for Llano, TX, and Cherry Spring, TX until 12:45 p.m.

10:03 a.m. Williamson County Office of Emergency Management: All roads in the area, including RM 963 & CR 201, are clear. However, please continue to use caution while driving. Conditions can change quickly. Turn around, don’t drown!

9:50 a.m. KXAN contacted county sheriff’s offices in impacted areas to check on damages and response.

• Lampasas – No damage reports at the moment. No water rescues were happening at the moment.
• San Saba – said they were busy at the moment, and asked KXAN to call back later.
• Llano – No damage reports at the moment. No water rescues at the moment.

9:29 a.m. Flooding at Badu City Park in Llano, Texas

9:11 a.m. TxDOT Austin: CAUTION: We’re seeing flash flooding in Burnet, Llano and Mason counties this morning. There are some road closures.

Get the latest conditions at DriveTexas. Remember, never drive into pooling or rushing water.

8:50 a.m. LCRA has opened one floodgate at Wirtz Dam and will open multiple floodgates at Starcke Dam soon to release storm runoff flowing into Lake LBJ.

Check out near-real-time data on streamflow, river stage, rainfall totals, temperature and humidity here.

8:43 a.m. City of Kerrville: At this time, we are temporarily pausing ground search operations along the river corridor due to the threat of flash floods. Safety of our responders is paramount, and we will resume search operations as soon as it is safe to do so.  

8:30 a.m. KXAN photojournalist Frank Martinez is out with Meteorologist Kristen Currie. Here are some pictures he sent in from the Llano River.

8:24 a.m. KXAN Meteorologist Kristen Currie is out in central Llano County monitoring the flood risk. She just spoke with Chris Gray, a Llano resident, about the current impact.

We stay pretty well aware of what’s going on in the county. We come together as a community, keep each other aware. That way, when things like this happen, people stay safe.
Llano resident Chris Gray

8:22 a.m. Flood operations at Wirtz Dam are beginning. Flows will be fast and water levels will be higher than usual downstream of the dam. Take immediate action to protect people and property that may be affected. Please monitor the LCRA Hydromet, local media and National Weather Service alerts for updates, as weather and flood conditions may change rapidly.

8:18 a.m. TxDOT Brownwood: San Saba County Traffic Alert: RM 501 East is closed due to water over the roadway. Visit DriveTexas for road closures and updates. Do not drive around barricades, it is against the law and could have deadly consequences

8:09 a.m. Williamson County Office of Emergency Management: Flash flooding is occurring at RM 963 & CR 201 due to the San Gabriel River. Water is over the roadway. Turn around, don’t drown! Northwestern Williamson County is under a Flash Flood Warning until 10 a.m.

7:32 a.m. NWS: We’re monitoring the Lampasas River this morning, but only have a couple gauges to look at. There is one near Kempner that has rapidly risen to over 27 ft. It is finally starting to slow its rise and the current forecast has it cresting around 32 ft. This height would case the Rocky River RV Resort and CR 4530 to flood, per a recent survey of the area near the gauge.

6:39 a.m. NWS: Gauge on the south fork of Rocky Creek near Briggs in Burnet County has risen 15 feet; there are no river stages for this gauge.

6:22 a.m. NWS: A flood warning was issued by Fort Worth office on the Lampasas River near Kempner; it has risen into minor stage at 20 feet so far; rose 18 feet within a hour or two. As mentioned before the river does enter northeastern Burnet County.

5:12 a.m. Colorado Bend State Park is closed to due flooding. Cherokee Creek is currently impassable.