Dozens of roads in Central Texas, including Round Rock, still closed due to flooding
AUSTIN, Texas - The rain is still impacting drivers who have to avoid dozens of flooded low water crossings in parts of Central Texas.
One of those road closures is at Memorial Park in Round Rock.
Madison Laporte and Josh Tauriac live nearby. They normally find it a peaceful place to live.
"It was definitely past that tree closest to us, but now it's all down," Tauriac said, pointing at the water level, talking about when it rained Monday.
"The flooding's a little scary, but it's never reached too high where we live for it to affect our building," Laporte said.
The road was still closed on Tuesday due to water.
"Our kids go to school up at the elementary, so this road is like a straight shot and when it's closed, we have to take an alternate route," Laporte said.
A spot near Old Bowman Road and Mays Street was also blocked off on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday evening, there were more than 40 road closures, including in Round Rock, Cedar Park, San Marcos, and Kyle. It peaked at 83 closures on Monday and there have also been road closures in Austin, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Taylor, Lockhart, Jarrell, Florence, Bartlett, Granger, Martindale, Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Bastrop County, Caldwell County and Fayette County.
With more rain expected, the road closures could last a little longer.
"That will still continue to keep those levels where they're at or prevent them from subsiding as fast as we'd like. Once we get through the night, we should see it clear out pretty well, and that should help subside some of that water, and we'll start to see roads opening back up again," Bill Zito, senior director of emergency services at Williamson County, said.
He says you never know what the condition of a road is under the water.
"If it's closed, it is closed for a reason. Please plan ahead and don't go past a barrier. Don't go through that water," he said.
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Zito says teams evaluate which roads to close based on how much water there is, how fast it's moving, and if more rain will make it worse.
Laporte says after past storms, "it seems after it's dried up, [the closure gate] will still be locked, so people can't take that way. That's the only issue I have with it."
"If there's a lengthy amount of time, folks can call in the road and bridge [department] or the county and message in, and we'll get somebody out there to get it opened up. But just be patient," Zito said.
Zito says thankfully, Williamson County Emergency Management has not had to rescue anyone.
Austin-Travis County EMS is reminding drivers:
- 18 to 24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks
- 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car
- 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep a grown adult off their feet
Turn around, don't drown.
For a full list of road closures, visit atxfloods.com