TCSO identifies victims killed in July 5 flooding; majority from Leander

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County officials continue to search and assist residents after the torrential flooding that wiped out several areas — the Sandy Creek neighborhood being hit the hardest — on July 5.

A news release from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office identified those who were killed by the flood in the county, as well as detailed the county’s response during and after the catastrophe. 

Authorities said they recovered 10 bodies, but only nine were identified, according to TCSO. Officials are currently waiting on one identification after the body of a man was located under the Big Sandy Bridge during a debris removal on July 16, the release said. 

According to officials, the body could be the last person on the county’s list; however, authorities said they can’t confirm the identification until after it has been investigated by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. Because of this, officials said they cannot determine that all the people reported missing in the county have been found. 

TCSO said the following people have been identified and recovered, per the release:

• Dan Dailey, 67, of Leander
• Virginia Watts Dailey, 66, of Leander
• Betty Masset West, 84, of Leander
• August Panning, 50, of Leander
• 17-year-old female from Marble Falls
• Alissa Nicole Martin, 54, of Leander
• George Douglas West, 54, of Leander
• 15-year-old male of Leander
• 16-year-old female of Leander

Authorities said they used the resources available to help and protect residents impacted, such as responding to hundreds of calls and assigning teams to keep affected residents away from unsafe roads and bridges.

According to the release, dispatchers received rescue calls around 1 a.m. on July 5 and had over 600 calls. That is more than the office’s normal call volume, the release said.

The release said TCSO’s Lake Patrol Unit conducted searches in the Cow Creek area, and the drone team helped with search and rescue efforts in Sandy Creek. Additionally, deputies were assigned to the affected flood areas 24 hours a day to handle traffic, respond to service calls and assist residents, volunteers and restoration crews.

The destructive flood across Central Texas killed at least 135 people statewide, and eight others remain missing. Of the statewide toll, 10 deaths have been confirmed in Travis County, and four remain missing, according to officials.

Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said it is a goal of TCSO to “serve and protect them to the best of our ability.” 

“Words fall short when trying to describe the devastation the flood caused. These communities are hurting, and it has been a goal of TCSO to serve and protect them to the best of our ability,” Hernandez said. “We remain committed to that mission.”