News Summary
Central Texas is currently experiencing a severe flash flood emergency due to relentless heavy rains, leading to significant damage and at least 43 fatalities in Kerr County. Burnet County officials have confirmed fatalities and many individuals remain unaccounted for. With ongoing rescues by emergency crews and rising floodwaters, authorities urge residents to seek higher ground and heed evacuation orders. Disaster declarations have been issued to facilitate coordinated responses, amidst growing dangers and road closures affecting travel in the region.
Austin, Texas – A severe flash flood emergency is currently impacting central Texas, following relentless heavy rains that have inflicted significant damage and disrupted lives. The situation has led to at least 43 reported fatalities in Kerr County, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
By late evening on July 7, Burnet County announced the suspension of its emergency operations center amid ongoing dangers posed by the flooding. Officials here have confirmed two fatalities and are searching for six missing individuals related to the flooding. Already, over 50 rescues were conducted by public safety agencies, but all active search operations were halted as worsening conditions persisted.
Among the missing is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips, who disappeared during a daring water rescue operation. Meanwhile, Travis County has confirmed a total of four fatalities due to the severe conditions, adding to the escalating crisis in the region.
As emergency crews work tirelessly, reports indicate that Burnet County has three confirmed deaths and five missing individuals as the floodwaters continue to rise. In response, Judge Andy Brown from Travis County issued a disaster declaration to facilitate a coordinated emergency response to the natural disaster, enabling local agencies and state partners to act swiftly.
Emergency operations in Travis County saw crews performing around two dozen water rescues in affected areas, with the local STAR Flight emergency service on standby for any additional rescue needs. In light of the ongoing dangers, the City of Austin has prohibited access to all waterways until noon on July 7 to ensure residents’ safety.
Efforts in Williamson County also included approximately ten water rescue recoveries since Friday night, as residents were faced with evacuation orders. There are currently 26 road closures active, making travel in the region hazardous. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings across multiple central Texas areas, including Austin, Pflugerville, and Wells Branch.
In areas particularly at risk, residents in mobile home parks east of Georgetown have been advised to evacuate due to the rising water levels. In an alarming report, Travis County experienced over ten inches of rainfall in just three hours, contributing significantly to the flooding crisis.
Authorities continue to urge residents in proximity to creeks and streams to seek higher ground as life-threatening conditions persist. Emergency Management in Burnet County indicated over 40 water rescues had been carried out by afternoon, with teams utilizing boats to rescue stranded individuals.
Williamson County has activated its Emergency Operations Center, focusing on managing the fast-evolving response to the ongoing flooding disaster. EMS teams in Austin-Travis County have seen heightened activity, performing rescues along significant water sources such as Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek, emphasizing the seriousness of this emergency.
Concerns are also heightened for mobile homes that have reportedly been swept away by the swift currents, with search efforts ongoing to locate potential occupants. As the crisis unfolds, the flood conditions are creating dangerous hazards throughout the central Texas region, prompting urgent action and assistance from emergency services.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed, heed warnings, and prioritize safety as central Texas grapples with this dire natural disaster, seeking to recover from its immediate impacts while ensuring the safety of those affected.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Floods in Texas
- BBC News
- Google Search: Texas Flood 2025
- CNN
- Google Scholar: Texas Flood Response
- KXAN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Rainstorm
- KVUE
- Google News: Central Texas Flooding
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
