AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- At least 10 people have died across the Austin metro and neighboring counties, as officials provided updates Sunday on the ongoing search, rescue, and flood response efforts across Travis, Williamson, and Burnet Counties.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown said six people died in the floods, with somewhere between 11 and 13 people still missing. About 50 people were rescued in the hardest-hit areas in the northwest part of the county, including areas along Sandy Creek northwest of Lago Vista.
In Williamson County, where the torrential rainfalls hit areas around Liberty Hill, officials said one person had died and two others were still missing.
Officials in Burnet County recovered the body of a third victim Sunday morning near Park Road 4 and US 281. The death toll includes a volunteer fire chief, Michael Phillips, who went missing Saturday while attempting rescues near Cow Creek and FM 1174. Five others are still reportedly missing.
Brown said damage assessments will take weeks. Anyone who has suffered property damage in the flooding is urged to report that damage to state officials; the Texas Division of Emergency Management has a website at damages.tdem.texas.gov.
Boaters and swimmers are urged to avoid the area's waterways due to fast-moving currents and storm debris. Brown said it's best to stay off of Lake Travis and other county waterways, and the City of Austin has prohibited the use of city waterways, including Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, until at least Monday at noon.
Sunday morning, President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, opening up federal funding to those who have been affected. Claims can be filed online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
