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Numerous rescues as Hill Country deluged by rain
Updated: 6/27/2007 7:13:50 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff
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The San Gabriel River in Williamson County is 30 feet higher than normal | |
There are multiple reports of people trapped in fast-moving water atop vehicles, on rooftops or clinging to trees.
At 2:50 a.m. STARFlight rescued at least two victims from vehicles in fast moving water at San Gabriel Ranch Road/County Road 256 in Williamson County. Less than an hour later, there was another rescue.
Then at 4:30 a.m., STARFlight had another two rescue missions in Granite Shoals, both involving multiple victims trapped on top of houses with rising flood waters.
There are several additional reports of stranded people and multiple requests for helicopter and boat rescues, including at leat two in Granite Shoals and several around Marble Falls.
EMS District Commander Corey Ricketson said he's going door to door in Marble Falls and Granite Shoals to provide assistance in the areas hardest hit. He's rescued at least 20 people.
EMS says the only current access to Marble Falls is Highway 71 West / Hwy 281.
Over in Williamson County, Shady Oaks RV Park east of Georgetown has been evacuated
Residents of McShepherd subdivision on Hwy 29E and CR 100 should stay inside their homes, but there haven't been any evacuations yet.
A shelter has been set up at the Union Hall Baptist Church in Liberty Hill
There have been five water rescues in Williamson County and double the number of 911 calls since 6 p.m. Officials said they've had six years worth of rain in a couple of hours.
Williamson County roads closed
TxDOT announced it has waived toll fees for Highway 183A and SH-45 in Williamson County for Wednesday morning.
Williamson County Emergency Communications is advising drivers not to travel Wednesday morning unless necessary and to check road closures before leaving the house. Call the TxDOT Travel and Information Line at (800) 452-9292. Remember, turn around, don’t drown! Never cross a flooded low-water crossing.
U.S. 183 south of Seward Junction is closed and traffic is diverted to Interstate 35. Hwy 29 is restricted to east/west traffic only from 183 to the IH 35.
The following roads are closed due to high water as of 8:15 a.m.
East
Big and Little Mankins, CR 100, 388, 384, 382, 351, 350, 304, 303,
West
C.R.177, 179, 270, 272, 305, 208, 236, 200, 222, 221, 215, 250, 251, 245, 307, 174 @ Brushy Bend, 256, 258, 206, 246.
Road closures in Georgetown:
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low water crossing on Oak Tree Drive over Berry Creek |
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low water crossing on Morrow Street in San Gabriel Park |
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Country Club Road at Gabriel View Drive |
Closed low-water crossings in Round Rock:
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Chisholm Trail at the round rock |
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Lee Street in Memorial Park |
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Lake Creek Parkway in Lake Creek Park |
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Harrell Parkway in Old Settlers Park |
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