Travis and Williamson counties are reeling after sudden flash floods left at least three people dead and 12 missing across the Austin metropolitan area, with neighborhoods inundated, rivers overtopping their banks, and entire bridges washed away. The devastation—compounded by still-rising waters, dangerous debris, and continued rainfall—has placed emergency responders and local residents in a race against time.
Officials have issued flash flood emergencies, waterway bans, boil water notices, and multiple evacuation orders. As of Saturday night, the flood has triggered disaster declarations across six Texas counties, including Travis, Williamson, and Burnet, and has endangered major infrastructure and residential areas alike.
Widespread Destruction Along the San Gabriel River
The San Gabriel River in Georgetown, Texas, has become a symbol of the weekend’s chaos. Viral videos show angry floodwaters tearing through a bridge, swallowing chunks of FM 1431 and displacing residents from neighborhoods near the water’s edge.
Authorities confirmed that at least three people have died in northwestern Travis County, while 12 others remain unaccounted for, including two Liberty Hill residents whose home was swept off its foundation.
More than 25 people have been rescued from rooftops, trees, and cars in the Sandy Creek and Lago Vista areas. In some cases, rescuers arrived by boat to find entire families clinging to power poles or huddled on top of submerged mobile homes.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in a generation,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. “The force of this water has caught many people by surprise. Our teams are working 24/7, but we need everyone to take this threat seriously.”
Evacuations, Water Rescues, and Shelter Coordination
The City of Georgetown has evacuated multiple facilities, including:
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San Gabriel Masonic Lodge
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Holly Street Village
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VFW Post
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San Gabriel Crisis Center
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San Gabriel, Waters Edge, and Two Rivers Apartments
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Shady River and Goodwater RV Parks
Emergency shelters have been opened at the Georgetown Recreation Center and First United Methodist Church.
Meanwhile, across Williamson County, first responders are actively searching for two Liberty Hill residents last seen at a home that was overtaken by floodwaters. Other rescues are underway in Leander, Cedar Park, and Marble Falls, where roads have crumbled and vehicles remain submerged or abandoned.
Infrastructure Damage and Road Closures
The flash floods have severely damaged roads, bridges, and utility systems:
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FM 1431 between Lago Vista and Marble Falls is impassable, with entire sections of asphalt torn away.
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Low-water crossings across Burnet, Travis, and Williamson counties remain flooded or collapsed.
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Boil water notices are in effect for parts of Georgetown, including:
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Parkview Estates
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Katy Crossing
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Stillwater
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Crystal Knoll
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Golden Oaks
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North Old Town
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Country Club and others
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Residents are urged to bring water to a rolling boil for two full minutes before using it for any purpose, including drinking or brushing teeth.
Emergency Declarations and Resource Mobilization
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has extended his disaster declaration to include at least six counties, and signed a formal request for federal disaster assistance on Saturday afternoon.
“With the scale of the destruction, we are mobilizing every available resource—from state airboats and helicopters to swift-water rescue units,” said Abbott.
The Lower Colorado River Authority has opened floodgates at Wirtz and Starke Dams to release upstream runoff from the Llano River into Lakes LBJ and Travis. Lake Travis is expected to absorb most of the impact, but residents are warned to stay off lakes and rivers for the coming days due to swift flows, submerged debris, and bacteria concerns.
John Hofmann of the LCRA added:
“These lakes may look calm at the surface, but currents are strong, debris is widespread, and bacterial contamination is rising fast.”
Citywide Waterway Ban
In response to the flooding, Austin has issued a full waterway ban until at least Monday at noon. This includes:
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Lady Bird Lake
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Lake Austin
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Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam
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Barton Creek
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Bull Creek
Recreational use of any personal or commercial watercraft, including paddleboards and canoes, is strictly prohibited.
Community Stories: Resilience and Warnings from Survivors
Residents across Central Texas are telling sobering stories of narrowly escaping disaster.
Daren Miller, who lived in the Shady River RV park, described watching his neighbors delay evacuation until it was nearly too late:
“I moved my RV early. Others thought it wouldn’t get bad. But by the time some tried to leave, the water was already up to their doors. Nice campers just floating down the San Gabriel—it was a nightmare.”
Steffi Rochford, living alone with her two cats at the Two Rivers Apartments, said she awoke to what sounded like a river outside her window.
“I never imagined it would rise so quickly,” she said. “But when you see it yards away from your home, you understand how fast nature can move.”
Ongoing Risk and Flood Alerts
The National Weather Service issued a rare Flash Flood Emergency, the highest-level flood alert, for Travis, Williamson, and Burnet counties, warning:
“This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!”
Flood watches remain in effect for Hays County, central Travis County, and southwestern Williamson County, including:
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San Marcos
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Kyle
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Wimberley
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Round Rock
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Pflugerville
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Cedar Park
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Dripping Springs
If you are hiking, camping, or in low-lying areas, leave immediately and seek shelter on higher ground.
How to Stay Safe and Informed
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Do not drive through flooded roads. “Turn around, don’t drown” remains vital guidance.
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Avoid lakes, rivers, and creeks, especially at night when dangers are less visible.
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Sign up for WARN Central Texas to receive local alerts: warncentraltexas.org
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Check road closures: ATXfloods.com
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Monitor power outages:
Kerrville Flood Disaster Still Unfolding
This Austin-area disaster comes as Texas reels from another mass casualty flash flood in Kerrville, where 43 people have now been confirmed dead, and 27 campers from Camp Mystic remain missing along the Guadalupe River.
A Saturday vigil at a West Austin church paused when flood alerts blared from congregants’ phones.
“We’re praying for those kids,” one attendee whispered. “And now we’re praying for ourselves, too.”