Flash Flood in Travis County, Texas

Slow-moving thunderstorms produced 8-10 inches of rain over the headwaters of Cow Creek. The FM 1431 bridge across Cow Creek was destroyed with the main bridge structure collapsing and fragmenting into at least four segments. A minivan with six occupants was swept into the creek at the crossing at around 4 AM. One of the occupants, a 17-year-old girl, was able to open the car doors and get the others to safety but died in the flooding. Her sister was also swept into the creek but survived. The Emergency Manager estimated public property and infrastructure damage at $5 million across the county. There was no estimate of private property damage.

Precipitable water values over South-Central Texas remained near record levels, and a mid-level anticyclonic circulation continued over Central Texas providing lift to generate thunderstorms. These storms were efficient rain making storms leading to another night of excessive rainfall. Parts of Burnet and Travis Counties received 12-16 inches of rain in approximately six hours that led to deadly flash flooding. Eighteen people died in flood waters: four in Burnet County, ten in Travis, and four in Williamson. The Travis County Emergency Manager estimated the cost of damage to public property and infrastructure at $5 million. The Burnet County Emergency Manager estimated the cost of damage to public property and infrastructure at $6 million. The Williamson County Emergency Manager estimated the cost of damage to public property and infrastructure at $25 million.