UPDATE (6:39am) FROM HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE:
Swift Water Rescues in Hays County
On January 25, 2012, at approximately 5:20 am, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office responded along with South Hays Fire Department responded to the area of Highway 123 and County Road 266 (Old Bastrop Highway) in San Marcos, Texas for a swift water rescue operation. A male subject called 9-1-1 to report that he was in a low water crossing, and the water was rising around him. The subject was safely rescued from his vehicle. First responders are still on scene.
At approximately 5:48 am, another 9-1-1 call was made from a female subject advising that she and three children were in her vehicle in the area of the low water crossing on Heidenrich Lane in Kyle, Texas. Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Chisholm Trail Fire Rescue have responded to the scene and are still working the rescue.
It is unknown at this time if the drivers ignored low water closure signs or if the roads were still open at the time that the incidents took place. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office would remind citizens that for their safety, they should not attempt to cross low water crossing that appear flooded or have swift water moving over them. A vehicle may easily be stalled in high water or in moved by swift water. For the safety of all drivers we encourage everyone to take a little extra time travelling to work and school this morning, and to avoid low water crossings if they appear flooded. It is a Class B Misdemeanor for a driver to disregard a barricade placed to mark a road closure due to flooding conditions under Texas Transportation Code 472.022.
Hays County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications is updating a list of road closures on the Sheriff’s Office website, which can be found at: http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/law-enforcement/sheriff/road-closures/. Current Hays County road closures include the following:
SAN MARCOS-
Uhland Rd @ E access
FM 621 (staples Rd) @ low water crossing
Harris Hill Rd @ low water crossing
York Creek rd @ low water crossing
Lime Kiln Rd @ Post Rd
Area of CR 266 and HWY 123 @ low water crossing
KYLE-
Dacy Ln @ low water crossing
Bunton Creek Ln @ low water crossing
Cotton Gin Rd @ Goforth Rd
Hwy 21 north of Yarrington Rd
Post Rd near W access
Windy Hill Rd east of Dacy Ln
Hwy 21 @ Bon Ton Grocery
Heidenriech Ln @ low water crossing
BUDA-
Lakewood Dr @ FM 1626
Crystal Creek @ FM 967
WIMBERLEY-
None Reported
DRIFTWOOD-
None reported
DRIPPING SPRINGS-
None reported
*****
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Eastern Hays County, Eastern Travis County, Western Bastrop, and Northwestern Caldwell in effect until 8am. KXAN reports that William Cannon at Westgate is closed due to flooding. In short, if you’re out and about be careful. Turn around, don’t drown.
