USA – 1 Missing, Dozens Rescued After Floods in Central Texas

by in News, USA

Heavy rains hit central Texas overnight, 10 to 11 April 2017, causing widespread flooding in several communities. Tornado warnings are also in effect for some areas.

The National Weather Service reported that up to 8 inches of rain had fallen in the area since Monday.

Areas affected by flooding include San Marcos, New Braunfels, Belton, Killeen and Fort Hood, where one person is reported missing

In a statement yesterday, Fort Hood officials said that emergency services responded to a report that one individual in a vehicle was swept into Clear Creek near Turkey Run Road just before 06:00 on 11 April. A later statement said that Fort Hood officials found the vehicle but not the individual, adding that search and rescue efforts will continue throughout the evening.

Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services personnel and 89th Military Police Brigade Soldiers respond to a Clear Creek high-water rescue site off Turkey Run Road where ongoing swift-water rescue efforts continue searching for an individual whose car was swept into the creek by fast moving waters over the roadway just before 6 a.m. April 11. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Mary Mittlesteadt, III Corps PAO)

Officials from the city of San Marcos say that more than first responder have rescued more than a dozen people who drove into floodwaters.

The city’s Mayor John Thomaides said via Twitter that emergency responders had rescued about 50 people in San Marcos on Tuesday, after 7 inches of rain fell in a few hours.

Several roads have been closed in the area. Officials warned that there were “lots of stalled cars like this on the road. There are still road closures. Be careful, and never drive in high water.”

Flooding in San Marcos, Texas, April 2017. Photo: City of San Marcos

Rainfall

According to NWS San Antonio, Cumby and Belton recorded more than 8 inches (203 mm) of rain during the storm.

Rainfall figures for 10 to 11 April according to NWS.

  • Cumby – 8.64 (219.456 mm)
  • Belton – 8.60 (218.44)
  • Kosse – 6.52 (165.6 mm)
  • Killeen – 4.96 (125 mm)

Rivers

The heavy rain increased levels of the San Marcos and Blanco rivers, although neither reached major flood stage. Levels of both rivers have since fallen.

The Blanco River near Fischer reached 17.3 feet on Tuesday 11 April, which is just over minor flood stage of 17 feet.

On the same day the Blanco River at Wimberly reached 16.1 feet, where moderate flood stage is 17 feet.

The San Marcos River at Luling peaked at 23.5 feet on 11 April, just under moderate flood stage of 24 feet.

NWS Houston say that Navasota River near Normangee is forecast to reach flood stage by the evening of 12 April and could reach major flood status by Friday, 14 April.

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