Williamson County flooding: 2 RV parks evacuated overnight

Flash flooding hits parts of Williamson County

Williamson County Emergency Management crews spent the overnight hours rescuing people and evacuating RV parks after heavy rain caused fast-rising floodwaters.

GEORGETOWN, Texas - Williamson County Emergency Management crews spent the overnight hours rescuing people and evacuating RV parks after heavy rain caused fast-rising floodwaters. 

Dozens of people were forced out of their homes, and some said they aren't sure they want to go back.

What they're saying:

Many people received a knock on their door in the middle of the night. Water was quickly rising around RV parks in Williamson County and residents were told they needed to get out.

"Some people, they were already ready, they anticipated it. It took us a little bit longer, we weren't expecting it to be this bad," Shady River RV Park resident James Allen said.

Williamson County Emergency Management said crews started preparing Tuesday night as water levels began climbing. Officials said Berry Creek, which feeds into the San Gabriel River, quickly became a major concern.

"The rate at which it was rising and staying the entire time is really what caused a lot of our concern, because Berry Creek surpassed numbers we saw in the July 5 floods, just almost a year ago," said Williamson County Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Jake Isbell.

Between two and four inches of rain fell along the San Gabriel River. Emergency alerts were sent out, and crews went door to door at Shady River and GoodWater RV parks, evacuating about 60 people to a temporary shelter at Georgetown Church of the Nazarene.

"Many of them had time and the opportunity to take their RV with them, and some of them didn't," Isbell said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Flooding in Williamson County: 2 RV parks evacuated

Storms caused some flooding in Williamson County. FOX 7 Austin's Jessica Rivera has the details.

Throughout the night, Isbell said swift water rescue teams responded to multiple calls for help.

"The first out of three calls of service for active rescue calls throughout the night was in the Florence area, where we were able to save three occupants from a vehicle in rushing water. As well, the second of the third calls was a very remarkable effort by our incredible partners, Star Flight, along with two boat teams from our task force with Swiftwater Rescue, that were able to work upstream as the hoist was coming down from Star Flight and extract three occupants at that time and were able save everyone with that call," Isbell said.

Isbell said rescue crews saved 15 people throughout the night.

On Wednesday morning, residents were given the call clear to return to the RV parks, but after flooding also hit this same area last month, some are now questioning whether they should stay there.

"I don't even know if we're going to even come back, frustrating that we don't want to have to leave every time it rains," Allen said.

Many residents are concerned about more rain on the way.

What you can do:

Officials remind people to not drive through flooded roads or attempt to cross low water crossings.

Conditions can change quickly and just a small amount of moving water can carry a vehicle away. Remember, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

If you do not need to be on the road, please stay put. 

If you must travel, check current road conditions first at ATXFloods.com and sign up for emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.