Flash Flood — Travis, Texas

2001-11-15 · near Countywide, Travis, Texas

Event narrative

As rainfall continued into the mid morning period, totals that were only 1 to 2 inches around sunrise began to approach 3 inches by mid morning. Flash flooding developed near 1000 CST, causing power outages for several hours to almost 40,000 homes. Most low water crossings flooded and dozens of rescues were required. More than 80 people were evacuated from around the Onion Creek area south of Austin. Two firefighters had to be rescued when their rescue boat overturned. They clung to tree branches until fellow firefighters could get to them. One woman in a flood-prone area drove long nails into a tree and used the nails to climb into the top of the tree for shelter until the flood waters receded. Several area schools delayed sending students home on school busses due to high water. An 17-year old male died after his car stalled in a low water crossing. He tried to walk thru 3 to 4-foot deep water, but was washed off his feet and beneath his vehicle. In another death, a 51-year old woman drowned after her car stalled in a low water crossing in the Mustang Ridge area. Apparently, she had left the vehicle and called to say that she was on her way home. Her body was found 1/4 mile downstream.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5272972. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.