Torrential rains churning up a destructive wall of water during the July Fourth weekend in the Hill Country that claimed more than 100 victims did not leave Williamson County unscathed, officials said.
Though the damage locally was not as severe, authorities reported two dead and one missing as of press time.
County Judge Steven Snell issued a declaration of disaster for Williamson County Saturday due to flooding from several days of heavy rainfall that caused the San Gabriel River to rise more than 30 feet.
According to officials, the two local fatalities are from the Liberty Hill area — Kaitlyn Swallow, 22, and Sherry Merlene Richardson, 64. The missing person had not been identified by production time of the Press.
Twenty-one counties in the Hill Country and Concho Valley areas were affected by flooding over the holiday weekend with — at last count — 109 people confirmed dead, including many children, and several others still unaccounted for.
Flood waters from the San Gabriel River stacked recreational vehicles left behind at the Goodwater RV Park off Texas 29.
Photo by Emily Treadway Kerr County was the hardest hit, bearing the highest number of fatalities and missing persons with 94 dead and 161 still missing. The rains began early July 4, causing the Guadalupe River to surge more than 35 feet, rushing through children’s summer camps and vacation campgrounds.
While Taylor was spared the brunt of the bad weather, high waters in Mustang Creek were reported near the Taylor Regional Airport and U.S. 79.
Thomas Martinez, chairman of the Greater Taylor Community Organizations in Active Disaster, added Texas 29, the Circleville area and around Lake Granger were also affected by the floods with the eastern stretch of 29 closed between Taylor and Georgetown for 24 hours.
Along the south fork of the San Gabriel River on 29, the Goodwater RV Park and Shady River RV Resort were evacuated Saturday. The water rose too quickly for most residents to move their recreational vehicles, but they otherwise managed to escape safely, many leaving with only the clothes on their backs, first responders said.
By Monday, the waters had receded and families returned to take stock of what was left of their homes and property.
Road and bridge crews also worked to rebuild heavily damaged portions of CR 279, county officials said.
“These floods have left families displaced and communities in crisis,” said Diana Phillips, president of the Greater Taylor Foundation, in a press release issued by COAD.
According to Martinez, the best way to help flood victims is by monetary donations funneled through legitimate nonprofit organizations.
In its press release, COAD specifically recommended two relief funds: Wilco Cares and Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
“We’re calling on our generous community to help rebuild lives by supporting these vetted, transparent funds,” Phillips said.
Snell, who as county judge oversees emergency management, thanked first responders, road and bridge crews and other personnel who worked during the weekend and through adverse conditions.
He also acknowledged the outpouring of public support for the flood victims as “humbling.”
“We have a long way to go in this recovery phase, but I know Williamson County is a caring and resilient community,” Snell said in a prepared statement.
According to a county news release regarding the fatalities, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Swift Water Rescue Team was called in for the search, as well a K9 team and a STAR Flight helicopter from Travis County.
Officials said they also were aided by personnel from Milam County, Cedar Park and various fire departments in the area.
“My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones in the devastating floods over the holiday weekend,” Snell said.
As the crisis unfolded from Kerrville to Marble Falls and beyond, Gov. Greg Abbott held several news conferences to update the public on relief efforts. Other officials who either joined Abbott or visited Texas during the disaster included U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In a news release, Abbott said Texas has deployed more than 1,750 personnel and more than 975 vehicles and equipment assets. More than 20 state agencies also responded to statewide flood threats.
