Heavy rain across Central Texas has pushed the Llano River into dangerous territory this Sunday, leading to flash flood warnings across several counties and the temporary closure of Lake Travis to the public.
The National Weather Service has issued urgent alerts for San Saba, Llano, Burnet, Menard, Gillespie, and Kerr Counties, where rivers are rising rapidly and roads have become impassable in multiple locations. The Llano River has already reached moderate flood stage, and forecasters expect it to rise above 18 feet within hours — a significant jump that hasn’t been seen since the devastating floods of October 2018.
Lake Travis closed; dangerous currents and debris reported
In response to the worsening conditions, Travis County officials have closed Lake Travis to all recreational use. The only exceptions are for emergency operations. The ban extends to other waterways throughout the Austin area, including Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, Barton Creek, and Bull Creek, and will remain in effect until at least noon Monday.
Water levels at Lake Travis have risen dramatically — climbing nearly 18 feet between July 4 and July 6, from 637.56 feet to 655.35 feet. Officials from the Lower Colorado River Authority have opened floodgates at Wirtz and Starcke Dams to handle the surge of runoff but say the Mansfield Dam will remain closed for now, with Lake Travis expected to hold the excess water.
Torrential rain triggers flash flood emergencies
Flash flooding is already underway across multiple areas. In San Saba County, up to 10 inches of rain has fallen, with the San Saba River swelling fast. A flash flood emergency remains in effect near the community of Bend, where rainfall totals reached 8 inches overnight.
In Burnet and Llano Counties, 1 to 5 inches of rain have already been recorded, and forecasters are warning of more heavy downpours today — potentially reaching 4 inches per hour in isolated areas. Menard, Gillespie, and Kerr Counties are also seeing river flooding and soaked ground, with conditions expected to worsen through the morning.
Death toll rises, dozens still missing
This week’s flooding has taken a staggering human toll. At least 129 people have died across Central Texas, including 75 in Kerr County alone. Emergency officials have confirmed 9 deaths in Travis County, 8 in Kendall, 5 in Burnet, and 3 in Williamson. Rescue operations are ongoing, and more than 30 people are still unaccounted for, including 10 children from Camp Mystic, located on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.
Swift water teams in Travis County have carried out at least 25 rescues since Saturday, while emergency crews in Burnet County completed 18 rescues overnight. Authorities are urging residents near rivers and low-lying areas to stay alert and avoid all flooded roads.
With more rain in the forecast, the threat of additional flash flooding remains high across the Texas Hill Country.
