On Oct. 16, the 2900 bridge over the Llano River in Kingsland, Texas, collapsed due to flooding. Several days of heavy rainfall led up to the collapse and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in 18 counties affected by severe weather.
According to NBC News, residents living within a quarter miles of the Llano River, where the bridge collapsed, were ordered to evacuate to higher ground. Additionally, inflows from Lake Marble Falls have been diverted to the Starcke Dam with all 10 of the floodgates open.
“When severe weather strikes, Texas will ensure our responders and local officials have what they need to respond and protect those in harm’s way,” Abbott said in a statement. “I also urge all Texans to take their safety into their own hands by closely monitoring changing weather conditions and heeding warnings from local officials.”
Dallas Water Utilities has reported several sewer overflows and at least five in major drainage basins. In Burnet County, a body was discovered along the Colorado River between Kingsland and Granite Shoals, attributed to the floods, as reported by The Weather Channel. As much as 10 in. of rain fell in western Llano County in 30 hours and the Llano River rose to its second highest crest on record.
View a video of the flooding:
