Update: The National Weather Service has extended flood advisories for rivers and creeks in central Travis County and south central Williamson County until 9:30 a.m.
Flooding at Bull Creek at Loop 360 is minor, but has reached 7 and a half feet. Officials advise drivers to be cautious when approaching the F.M. 2222 bridge.
Waters may run high at Gilleland Creek, Shoal Creek, Walnut Creek and Wilbarger Creek for the next few hours.
Update (5:35 a.m.): The National Weather Service has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for Central Travis County and South Central Williamson County until 7:30 a.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service canceled a flash flood watch that been in effect for Central Texas through the early morning hours of Friday. However, there is still a 40% chance of rain in the forecast for today.
The combination of heavy rains again and an already-saturated ground could potentially produce some problems with flooding. Thursday's downpours brought several inches of rain to parts of the region and caused low-water crossing closures across the area. Thirty-one low water crossings are still closed Friday morningOriginal story ( Sept. 18, 7:34 p.m.)The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Travis County and southern Williamson County expiring at 9:30 p.m. An additional flash flood warning is in effect for northeast Blanco County, north Hays County and southwest Travis County until 10:30 p.m.
Officials warn flooding is possible in areas already inundated by flooding from earlier rainfall this morning and last night.
Drivers are advised to avoid low water crossings. Currently there are 27 low water crossings in the area that are closed, but more low water crossings could be closed throughout the night as the rains continue. You can see a full list of closed crossings at ATX Floods.
A flash flood watch is in effect through 7 a.m. Friday morning.
Check this web posting for details on how to get more information on the impacts of flooding.
Update (8:43 a.m.): The Travis County Sheriff’s Department says this morning that the person missing in flood waters in West Travis County is a Sheriff’s Deputy.
Travis County Sheriff’s spokesperson Roger Wade says the female deputy was doing a routine check of low water crossings when her own vehicle was washed from the road at around 2 a.m. Wade says sheriffs found the vehicle submerged shortly after that.
"We are still searching out here in hopes beyond hopes that she's clinging to a tree out here somewhere," Wade says. "We will not stop searching until we find her."
The Austin Police Department, Travis County Search and Rescue, the Lakeway Police Department, the Austin Fire Department, Travis County Emergency Medical Services are assisting in the search for the missing deputy.
Update (7:36 a.m.): The National Weather Service’s Flash Flood Warning affecting Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays and Travis Counties has expired. There are still 46 low water crossings closed in the Austin area, according to the city’s flood monitor ATX Floods.
In addition, power has been restored power to some Austin Energy customers, but 2,216 are still without power. You can view a map of affected areas on the Austin Energy Storm Center website.
Update (7:16 a.m.): Austin police have issued emergency alert calls to 353 homes in the Onion Creek area. The occupants have been notified to take precautions after the LCRA meter showed a rise in Onion Creek. APD says they'll warn residents if Onion Creek reaches flood stage. The City of Austin says waters are rising in the area but are not expected to threaten homes.
Barton Springs Pool is temporarily closed because of flooding.
Update (6:22 a.m.): A STAR Flight helicopter and several area rescue crews are working together this morning to find a person they believe is missing in flood waters in West Travis County.
A spokesman with the Travis County Sheriff’s office says they’ve located a vehicle that was swept off the roadway around 5400 Fritz Hughes Park Road – it’s a road with a low water crossing near the Mansfield Dam.
Emergency crews have been searching for the person since about 2 a.m.
Check this web posting for details on how to get more information on the impacts of flooding.
Update (5:41 a.m.): The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning until 8:15 a.m. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m.
The Lower Colorado River Authority says Lake Travis has risen six inches since midnight. Unfortunately, the LCRA says most of the rain fell downstream of the lake. The LCRA had opened three floodgates at Tom Miller Dam in Austin to deal with the inflow of water. Those floodgate operations are now complete.
The City of Austin is updating road closure information at atxfloods.com. At last check, 53 low water crossings were closed.
The Austin Fire Department says crews have responded to over 150 calls and 10 fires since midnight. AFD says seven of those fires were confirmed lightning strikes. AFD also performed four water rescues and six calls for assistance because of flooding.
At last update, Austin Energy reports about 7,000 customers were without power.
Check this web posting for details on how to get more information on the impacts of flooding.
Original Story (3:36 a.m.): Much of Central Texas has been getting pounded by heavy rain early this morning. A flash flood warning is in effect until 5:15 a.m. for parts of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, and Travis Counties. The south and southwest parts of the area seem to be getting hardest hit. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. for much of Central Texas.
The City of Austin is reporting many low water crossing are closed after the city received several inches of rain in a short period of time early this morning. Austin Energy is reporting multiple scattered outages around the city. Outages can be reported by calling Austin Energy at 512-322-9100. Austin Fire officials say there have been several water rescues this morning. They say several fire calls have come in due to lightning strikes.
The Lower Colorado River Authority says floodgate operations are underway at Tom Miller Dam because of the early morning heavy rains. LCRA advises people downstream of the dam to protect their property.
Check back in for updates here and tune in to KUT 90.5.
