A flash flood warning has been extended for parts of Fayette County until 2:45 p.m. Monday as rain continues to fall across the region. Mandatory evacuations are under effect in Fayette County along the Colorado River in La Grange, where the water has risen above 50 feet. People are advised to stay off the roads.
The National Weather Service says the Colorado River has reached 53 feet near La Grange.
8:31a - Colorado River at La Grange is at 53.07 feet in Major Flood Stage. Evacuations on-going anywhere around Colorado River. pic.twitter.com/z0Ir2WlZrY
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) August 28, 2017
Smithville had already gotten more than 22 inches of rain by Sunday evening.
Much of Central and South Texas including Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Karnes, Lee, Travis, and Williamson counties flash flood watch until Wednesday evening.
8:31a - Colorado River at La Grange is at 53.07 feet in Major Flood Stage. Evacuations on-going anywhere around Colorado River. pic.twitter.com/z0Ir2WlZrY
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) August 28, 2017
Bastrop, Smithville, McDade, Elgin and Hays ISDs have all canceled classes for Monday.
Austin ISD will operate on a two-hour delay. The City of Austin, Austin Community College and Travis County will delay opening facilities until 10 a.m. ACC classes scheduled before 10 a.m. are canceled. Round Rock ISD is operating on a two-hour delay, as well.
As of Sunday afternoon, the American Red Cross of Central Texas was housing more than 180 Harvey evacuees at the Delco Center in East Austin.
“We have a second center at the Burger Center right now, that will be overflow," Red Cross spokesperson Geoff Sloan. "LBJ [High School] will be overflow, as well. So, we still got plenty of room here.”
There are three shelters currently operating in Bastrop County:
- First United Methodist Church at 1201 Main St.
- Smithville Recreation Center 106 Gazley St.
- Elgin Shelter at 302 W. 11th St.
The Red Cross has other shelters open in LaGrange, Schulenberg and Luling. Sloan says additional locations could open as needed.
Bastrop officials say those looking to help should send donations to the Bastrop County Long Term Recovery Team.
Bluebonnet Electric, which serves the Bastrop area, reports more than 1300 customers without power as of 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
In Austin, driving remains treacherous, with numerous trees and branches fallen across the roads and some low water crossings closed. Austin Energy reports about 11,000 people without power.
