Search Continues for 2 Swept Away in Texas Floods

May 27--1:55 p.m. update: No bodies have yet to be found in an area of southeastern Travis County where at least two people were believed to have been swept away in raging flood waters early Friday morning.

The Travis County sheriff's office is leading the search in the area of FM 812 and the Texas 130 toll road. Austin Fire Department is assisting with the use of unmanned aerial drones, Travis County emergency services spokeswoman Lisa Block said.

At 1 a.m., a 911 caller reported that they saw a person hanging onto a pole surrounded by flood waters. A pickup was also in the water and the caller said the truck could have had other people inside, Block said.

"We're hoping they were able to get out of there safely," Block said.

In total, Austin-area rescuers assisted 75 people overnight, she said.

Austin-Travis County EMS rescued a total of 10 people in eight different rescues during the night, Capt. Mike Benavides said. All the rescues were in southern and eastern Travis County.

The incidents involved people who needed medical attention and couldn't get past flooded roadways, including a woman in labor and a person with an allergic reaction, he said.

"These weren't people stranded on their rooftops," he said. "They weren't in imminent danger, we just couldn't get medical attention to them."

In the end, the woman having a baby was able to be rescued via ambulance not boat, Benavides added.

12:20 p.m. update: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has elevated the alert level of the state emergency operations center ahead of storms and potential flooding expected through the Memorial Day Weekend.

Representatives from various state agencies have reported to the emergency operations center and will coordinate any state response to any weather event.

TIPS: DPS explains how to stay safe in severe weather

"Especially as Texans may be travelling to unfamiliar areas or spending time outside during the Memorial Day weekend, we strongly urge everyone to monitor the ongoing severe weather in their areas as storm systems quickly develop," Abbott said. "Be aware that conditions may change rapidly, so it is imperative for Texans to heed all warnings from state and local officials. When you encounter rising waters or flooded roadways, keep one simple phrase in mind: Turn around, don't drown."

The state deployed swift-water rescue teams and other personnel on Thursday to assist with rescues and close roads deemed impassable, according to a statement from Abbott's office.

The office asked for residents to closely monitor weather forecasts and to avoid rising waters on roadways.

TIPS: How to escape a flooded car at low water crossings

10 a.m. update: Though the rains have subsided for now, several areas in southeastern Travis County remain affected by heavy overnight downpours.

Firefighters and Travis County first responders continue to search for two people who were swept away in flood waters last night near FM 812 and the Texas 130 toll road. The Travis County sheriff's office is heading up the investigation.

The areas most affected are near the racetrack at Circuit of the Americas. The Thoroughbred Farms neighborhood was evacuated and residents have not been allowed to return because flood waters remain in the area, Travis County emergency services spokeswoman Lisa Block said.

Residents of homes near Dry Creek were asked to "shelter in place," and not leave because many roadways are impassible and dangerous, Block said.

A flash flood warning remains in effect for that area until 12:15 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The rains shattered a rainfall record at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where 8.79 inches fell Thursday night. Most airport operations have been unaffected, though two flights to Houston were canceled, according to the airport's website.

Austin residents were largely spared from any of the major downpours.

About 2 inches of rain have fallen in downtown Austin in the past 24 hours. About 1 inch fell near West Lake Hills, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority.

In Buda, the rains forced the evacuation of one residential complex near Onion Creek, affecting 30 residents. However, they were allowed to return once the waters started receding, Buda officials said. However, they were advised to find another place to stay for the time being because any additional rain will cause more flooding, Buda officials said.

The Buda Volunteer Fire Department nearby on RM 2770 also flooded, Buda officials said.

8:30 a.m. update: An air rescue is underway at Maha Creek near Plover Place and Elroy Road in southeastern Travis County.

STAR Flight, Travis County's air rescue crew, has rescued nine people and two dogs from flood waters, the agency said. Several water rescues have been reported Friday morning in the area near the racetrack at Circuit of the Americas.

8 a.m. update: At least 250 low water crossings across Central Texas remain closed, according to the ATXfloods.com website.

Most of the closures in the Austin metro area are concentrated in southeast Travis County, near Circuit of the Americas and the communities of Creedmoor and Mustang Ridge, and in the eastern corner of Hays County, along the Interstate 35 corridor.

Dozens more crossings remain closed farther east in Bastrop and Lee counties.

MAP: See which low water crossings are closed during the morning commute

7:10 a.m. update: The Del Valle school district will be closed Friday because of weather conditions, district officials said.

The Austin school district was already closed on Friday because of a previously scheduled day off for the Memorial Day holiday.

READ: An updated list of other weather closures and delays

6:20 a.m. update: A flash flood warning for southeast Travis and east-central Hays counties has been issued until 9:15 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service says.

Emergency management officials have reported flash flooding along Onion Creek, Dry Creek and Maha Creek in southeastern Travis County. Swollen rivers, creeks and streams continue to pose a threat Friday morning.

Authorities are urging caution during the morning commute as many roads may be flooded.

3:30 a.m. update: As flood waters recede, Austin police have reopened Texas 71 near U.S. 183 and Texas 130.

However, there are still 173 road crossings closed in the Austin area, and first responders are still rescuing stranded motorists in high waters.

Officials continue to urge motorists to stay off the roads if possible. If you must drive, consult atxfloods.com to plan your route, and be very cautious on the road.

A helicopter and other crews are still searching for two people who were swept away by water near FM 812 and Texas 130, said Fire Chief Ken Bailey, who is with Emergency Service District 11.

They were swept away around 1:15 a.m., and at 3:30 a.m. officials had still not found them.

As of 3 a.m., there were no school closings in Travis, Williamson, Hays or Bastrop counties.

A Southeast Austin neighborhood, Thoroughbred Farms, was asked to evacuate to a rally point at FM 973 and McKinzie Drive. A senior citizens home in Buda, Onion Creek Village Apartments, evacuated 30 people.

Onion Creek is still in its banks, officials said. Flooding is still possible throughout the morning.

In Bastrop County, residents are being urged to stay indoors and off the roads as streets are flooding faster than they can be closed.

Throughout Thursday night and Friday morning, Austin firefighters responded to two lightning strikes that reportedly hit buildings but did not cause fires, fire officials said. However, they did have to extinguish a fire at an unoccupied, under-construction house on Southpark Meadows Drive.

2:15 a.m. update: A helicopter and other crews are searching for two people who were swept away by water near FM 812 and Texas 130, said Fire Chief Ken Bailey, who is with Emergency Service District 11.

They were swept away around 1:15 a.m., Bailey said.

2:14 a.m. update: The Onion Creek Village Apartments on Bluff Street and RM 2770 has been evacuated in Buda, city officials said.

Approximately 30 people from an apartment complex for senior citizens have been evacuated to the Emergency Operations Center at Buda City Hall. There have been no injuries, city officials said. There have also been a few swiftwater rescues.

2:05 a.m. update: In total, there are 137 road closures due to flooding, according to ATXfloods.com.

The closures are concentrated in southern Travis County and eastern Hays County.

Officials with Travis County and the city of Austin's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management said early Friday that they have only asked residents of the Thoroughbred Farms neighborhood in South Austin to seek higher ground. So far they have not ordered any evacuations in Austin or Travis County, officials said.

Residents of Thoroughbred Farms are still leaving their homes, Travis County sheriff's office spokeswoman Lisa Block said.

1:50 a.m. update: Onion Creek is still in its banks at this time, and Austin officials are not evacuating anyone in that neighborhood yet, Austin officials said.

Austin firefighters have been rescuing people from vehicles stranded in high water for hours. Austin police are blocking roads in Southeast Austin, preventing drivers from entering areas around Onion Creek.

Moderate flooding is occurring near Onion Creek at U.S. 183, and major flooding is expected, the National Weather Service said.

In Buda, residents of about 25 houses on Bluff Street were asked to evacuate and head to Buda City Hall, Hays County officials said. Some residents reported having water going into their homes, officials said.

1:20 a.m. update: Emergency crews have extracted a woman who is in labor, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.

EMS responded to the reports about 12:06 a.m. The woman was near the 8400 block of South FM 973 Road, officials said.

12:50 a.m. update: The Thoroughbred Farms neighborhood in South Austin was asked to evacuate and seek higher ground due to flooding, according to Travis County sheriff's officials.

A rally point has been set at FM 973 and McKinzie Drive, officials said.

12:30 a.m. update: EMS officials rescued one person who was in waist-high water on U.S. 183 in southeastern Travis County, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.

Crews are trying to access a second victim, EMS said.

The victims were found near a bank, about a mile-and-a-half south of Pilot Knob, EMS officials said.

Midnight update: While floodwaters rise on Austin area roads, avoid Texas 71, U.S. 183 and Texas 130 if possible, Austin police said.

High water is closing down roadways major and small, with a total of 93 road closures in Travis and surrounding counties.

At 11:52 p.m., officials reported there were multiple vehicles with no people inside on a bridge at U.S. 183 and FM 1625, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.

Earlier Thursday evening, EMS officials helped stranded victims out of a flooded area in the 8100 block of Colton Bluff Springs Road, and no injuries were reported, officials said.

11:40 p.m. update: Emergency crews are responding to Southeast Austin to reports of two victims in a tree, and two vehicles stuck on a bridge, officials said Thursday night.

Responders believe there are two victims still in their vehicle as waters continue to rise.

The call came about 11:22 p.m. from the 8100 block of Colton Bluff Springs Road. STAR Flight has also been called to assist with the rescue.

Colton Bluff Springs Road is currently a flooded low water crossing, according to ATXFloods.

WEATHER WATCH: Click here for the latest storm, flooding and forecast updates.

Earlier: Nearly 500 Austin Energy customers are without power, according to Austin Energy's outage map.

The outages are primarly in a small pocket along South Lamar Boulevard and in another pocket along West William Cannon Dive, west of MoPac Boulevard, and are estimated to be fixed around midnight, the map shows.

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