The Llano River's floodwaters destroyed a traffic bridge in Kingsland, Texas Oct. 16. KINGSLAND, Texas — The FM 2900 bridge in Kingsland collapsed Tuesday morning due to rushing floodwaters from the Llano River. The power of water: RM 2900 bridge in Kingsland washed away. #TurnAroundDontDrown #atxtraffic Road closures at https://t.co/FA8rsTh6VJ pic.twitter.com/MeEwj30cnv — TxDOT Austin (@TxDOTAustin) October 16, 2018 The Llano River crested at 39.9 feet Oct. 16 -- the highest height in more than 80 years. Just after 9:30 a.m., the Texas Department of Transportation in Austin said the Kingsland bridge was washed away. The Llano County Emergency Management team reported early Tuesday morning that the bridge was at risk of flooding because of the flood history of the location. PHOTOS: Llano River floods 2900 bridge in Kingsland 1/6 2/6 3/6 4/6 5/6 6/6 1 / 6 It's not known if anyone was injured in the bridge collapse. Justin Cullison captured video yards away from where the bridge was about five minutes after it collapsed. Large pieces from the bridge can be seen poking out from underneath the flood waters. The flooding of the Llano River set on a series of mass evacuations for people in multiple cities who live along the water. According to TxDOT, the bridge was built in 1969. The bridge was made of concrete and steel pilings with concrete decking. It was built to withstand a 50-year flood level. It was last inspected in May 2017, when it was deemed "structurally sound." TxDOT-maintained bridges are inspected every two years. "It's going to be a big hold up in everything we do because we're going to have to drive so far to go out or get back in," said Billy Baker, who lives blocks away from the bridge. Billy and Debora Baker were out watching what was left of the bridge, hours after the flooding waters made it collapse. "Just getting in and out of this area is going to be our main problem," Billy explained. "I really did enjoy having that bridge while it lasted," his wife, Debora, explained. Once the water recedes, TxDOT crews will inspect the damage and decide how to repair it. This will be a priority for the agency and repairs will be expedited. Until then, drivers can use SH 71 or US 281 to travel north or south, as well as RM 1431 once water levels have receded.<doc-sep>KINGSLAND, Texas — Flooding in central Texas turned deadly Tuesday, following days of pouring rain. Some rivers are up to 13 feet above flood stage, prompting evacuations, CBS News' Courtney Zubowski reports. Boats and trees raced downstream from of the Max Starcke Dam, with floodgates open to ease the pressure. More than 10 feet of the overflowing Llano River destroyed a section of the FM 2900 bridge in Kingsland, Texas, all caused by drenching rain since Monday. Officials said one person died. Conditions forced the shutdown of a bridge over the Colorado River, leaving residents in Llano County in shock. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in the surrounding neighborhoods and rescue efforts are already underway "We had people trapped in certain islands that we just can't get to. You see behind me the water is moving so quickly, plus the debris, we just can't put boats in that kind of water, so we need the helicopters as well," said Palmer Buck with the Austin Fire Department. The Llano River crested Tuesday afternoon at nearly double major flood levels. But people in the region aren't out of trouble yet. "We want to keep encouraging people stay off the roads," Buck said. Getting the word out about evacuations have been hampered by the fact that several cellphone towers were destroyed and landlines are down. On that top of that, the Llano River is expected to have a secondary rise by Wednesday morning.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Flooding along the Llano River causes bridge to collapse. EMBED >More News Videos Swell seen down-river from central Texas bridge collapse EMBED >More News Videos Llano River breaks banks and four are missing after flooding. LLANO, Texas -- A body was found in a rain-swollen lake in Central Texas after fast-moving floodwaters destroyed a bridge, forced the evacuation of riverside homes and led to numerous water rescues Tuesday following days of heavy rains.Video shows the bridge crumbling as it was overrun by the bloated, roiling Llano River in Kingsland, about 65 miles northwest of Austin. The Llano and Colorado rivers meet at Kingsland, and the National Weather Service said both were experiencing "major flooding. "The body was found in Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, situated where the Llano flows into the Colorado. Local officials say they have yet to identify the person, but that many homes along the lake and rivers have been flooded. A flash flood warning was in effect. Residents were evacuated from homes in Kingsland and in nearby Marble Falls , which was being overwhelmed by the Colorado River. Several school districts closed for the day, and emergency personnel blocked access to more than 150 low-water crossings.Bill and Laura Villella awoke early Tuesday to about 12 inches of water in their home in Llano, a town just northwest of Kingsland. The rising water forced them to stand on their kitchen counter before emergency personnel in a boat pulled them to safety. "We honestly did not believe it would go up that high," Bill Villella told the Austin American-Statesman. His wife added: "I've been through a lot in my life, but that's the scaredest I've ever been."Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement urging "all Texans to take their safety into their own hands by closely monitoring changing weather conditions and heeding warnings from local officials. "The governor's warning came little more than a week after four people were washed away when the South Llano River, which becomes the Llano River downstream, overran an RV park in Junction, Texas. Three bodies have been recovered. The search for the fourth has been suspended due to the heavy rain.The body found Tuesday doesn't appear to be the person still missing from the RV park, which is along the South Llano River about 90 miles away, said Burnet County Sheriff's Capt. Tom Dillard.The most dramatic scenes Tuesday played out in Marble Falls, where an extraordinary amount of water poured over the Starcke Dam, carrying with it riverside docks and other large debris.Homes also were being evacuated in nearby Granite Shoals, and people were sheltering at a middle school.Water levels along the Llano River at Llano have subsided but are still well above major flood stage. Levels rose to just under 40 feet on Tuesday but fell as the morning progressed, settling at little more than 35 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Major flood stage is 23 feet, and the river isn't expected to drop below that stage until Wednesday.Heavy rains were also impacting other parts of the state.Flood warnings were issued for areas north of Houston, and the Fort Worth Fire Department said it responded to some 80 traffic accidents blamed on slick roads and poor visibility Tuesday morning. Officials in Dallas said the rain was causing sewer overflows in several parts of the city but added that its water supply wasn't affected.In Austin, fire officials temporarily banned all watercraft. Flooding was also occurring in Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio, and other parts of Texas Hill Country, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The Guadalupe River at Comfort, northwest of San Antonio, was forecast to rise from about 5 feet up to more than 28 feet.Patricia Sanchez, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, said the transition from fall to winter usually brings elevated levels of rainfall - but nothing compared to the amount of precipitation over the last month. "The ongoing multiple days of rain and the extraordinary amount is of course not normal," she said. "Not for this time of year. "Recent tropical systems and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico are contributing to the amount of rain Texas has seen, she said. Light to moderate rain will continue for the next couple of days but taper off as the weekend approaches, she said.<doc-sep>Possibly 'historic' flooding happened in Llano Oct. 16, prompting mass evacuations, rescues and one death. CENTRAL TEXAS — Note: This blog is no longer being updated as of Tuesday, Oct. 16. Stay up to date with the latest weather coverage, here. Llano County officials remain on high alert a day after the Llano River reached near historic height and set on a series of evacuations for multiple cities in the Central Texas Hill Country. At least one person died in the flood event on Oct. 16, according to Llano authorities. According to Llano County Judge Mary Cunningham, several low water crossings remain closed Wednesday morning, and people are asked to stay off of the roadways and inside if possible due to debris. The Llano River crested Tuesday at 39.9 feet, which is more than 10 feet above the flood stage and only about a foot and a half below the record height of 41.5 feet, which was set in 1935. As of 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, the Llano River has dropped to 12.5 feet, according to Llano County Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Anderson. However, authorities fear the river level could rise again with more forecasted rain on the way. As a result of the flooding of the Llano River, eyes are also on Lake Travis, which continues to rise to dangerous levels Wednesday. RELATED: NEED TO KNOW: Llano County officials said that while the Llano River level is dropping, it's still not clear on how long it will last with more rain expected in the forecast. "We need to make sure we're all keeping an eye out for floodwater," Cunningham said. A flash flood watch is in effect for several counties in the Hill Country until Thursday evening. "We could see another rise of the Llano River. Whether or not it will be of historic value -- we do not know yet," Anderson said. Llano County authorities said a body was discovered at Flag Street and Sandstone Street Tuesday night after the Llano River flooded. Cunningham said it was the first confirmed fatality related to the flooding, and it's the only one they are aware of. While the victim's family has been notified, police are not releasing the person's name. ‘Historic flood’: How flooding has impacted Central Texas 1/41 2/41 3/41 4/41 5/41 6/41 7/41 8/41 9/41 10/41 11/41 12/41 13/41 14/41 15/41 16/41 17/41 18/41 19/41 20/41 21/41 22/41 23/41 24/41 25/41 26/41 27/41 28/41 29/41 30/41 31/41 32/41 33/41 34/41 35/41 36/41 37/41 38/41 39/41 40/41 41/41 1 / 41 Currently, first responders are actively searching the area for people in need of help, and road and bridge crews are out on the roadways assessing the damage from the floods on the roads that remain closed. Anderson said the 2900 bridge in Kingsland was washed out Tuesday, creating a traffic hazard. There was also reportedly a small portion of 1431 at the Colorado River Crossing that was "disabled" by the floodwaters, making it difficult for people to get from Marble Falls to Llano County. Anderson said people with medical emergencies who need to get to either area should call 911 for assistance. Residents with non-emergency issues in areas impacted by the floods are asked to contact the Llano County Sheriff's Office for help. The number is 325-247-5767. Homes that were evacuated before and during the height of the flooding are asked to wait before re-entering their homes because the structures have to be evaluated, Anderson said. Llano County officials will provide another update on the Hill Country at 4 p.m. SHELTERS AND RESOURCES FOR EVACUEES If you live in Llano County, two shelters are open for people. The Llano County Office of Emergency Management said the John Kuykendall Arena & Events Center at 2200 W Ranch Road 152 and Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church at 800 Wright St.are both taking in evacuees. The shelters are being supported by the Red Cross and Llano County. Officials could not confirm, just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, the exact number of people displaced by the flooding. Llano County Office of Emergency Management said shelters are in place at the First Baptist Church and Inmans Kitchen in Llano. With the heavy flooding from the Llano River, Kingsland and Llano are dealing with ongoing water shortages. County officials said they would be passing out bottled water, courtesy of H-E-B, and ice at the Llano Junior High School and First Baptist Church in Kingsland on 1431 Kingsland Way. Llano High School and the Kingsland Community Center are both taking in evacuees. If you need to be evacuated, officials recommend contacting the Llano Police Department. Granite Shoals evacuees are asked to head to the 1st Baptist Church, located at 505 south Phillips Ranch Road. In Meadowlakes, evacuees can seek shelter at the City of Meadowlakes City Hall. Shelters in place are also available at First Baptist Church Marble Falls and the Burnet Community Center. The City of Meadowlakes and Pecan Valley are not accessible at this time. The flood response shelter located at Marble Falls Middle School is now closed. Community members can refer to the City of Marble Falls Emergency Alert Center for shelter and residential updates. ROAD CLOSURES Here are the updated road closures for Wednesday, Oct. 17. The following roads are closed in Marble Falls: 400 - 700 Blk Avenue T (Between 4th St. & 7th St.) 100 Blk S Ave N (Huber) (Between Yett St & Backbone St) 1400 Blk Nature Heights Dr (Between US-281 & Commerce St.) 300 BLOCK CR 122 AT WILLIAMS CREEK 1500 Blk Resource Pkwy (Between US Highway 281 & W Innovation Loop) The following roads are closed in Kingsland: Kingsland Slab CR 307/RR 3404 The following roads are closed near Llano CR 152 -- west of Llano CR 2241 --east of Llano PREVIOUS WEATHER BLOG: Tuesday 11 p.m.: National Weather Service issues Flash Flood Warning for Travis County and Burnet County 10:37 p.m.: Lake Travis is 118 percent full, Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon reports. 10:30 p.m.: All seven floodgates at the Longhorn Dam over Lady Bird Lake are open.<doc-sep>
At least one body has been recovered while authorities carry out rescue efforts and brace for more flooding Tuesday afternoon throughout the Hill Country. Meteorologists say the Llano River, which came close to a record-breaking level Tuesday will crest again at a similar spot Wednesday morning. Deputies with the Burnet County Sheriff's Office removed the body from the floodwaters of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson at about 1 p.m. near Kingsland, according to Spectrum News in Austin. Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue teams are now involved in multiple air and water rescues along the river as calls for service come in "one after the other," according to a Tweet from the department. Christy Baught, a floodplain administrator for Llano County, said other local agencies are also assisting with rescue operations, as the flooding has placed residents in serious danger. "The Llano River has hit major historic flood stage," reads a post from the Llano County Office of Emergency Management. "It is currently at 40' and has almost topped the bridge in Llano. Anyone living within 1/4 mile of the river should evacuate immediately to higher ground." RELATED: Missing driver recovered from Sabinal River identified The Llano River crested around noon at 39.9 feet, just short of the 1935 record of 41.5 feet. The National Weather Service predicts that Wednesday morning's crest will reach a "similar height." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Operations Center to a state of increased readiness in response to the ongoing flooding. "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," he said. "I also urge all Texans to take their safety into their own hands by closely monitor changing weather conditions and heeding warnings from local officials." The flooding has shut down several roadways and bridges in the area, and at about 9:30 a.m., the FM 2900 bridge in Kingsland, Texas, collapsed from the pressure of the raging floodwaters, according to a report from KEYE-TV in Austin. The National Weather Service reported Tuesday morning that more than 10 inches of rain has inundated portions of the Llano River watershed since early Monday. The water has rushed into the river, causing it to rise to almost unprecedented levels. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Gillespie and Llano counties through 7 p.m. Tuesday and a flood warning along the Llano River in Llano County, Sandy Creek near Kingsland and the Pedernales River at Johnson City. The Llano River is in a major flood stage, meaning there will be "extensive inundation of structures and roads." Such a stage calls for "significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations," according to NWS's website. Baught said the Llano County Office of Emergency management has set up shelters at the First Baptist Church of Llano, Inman's Kitchen an the Kingsland Community Center. She did not know if anyone was missing in the storm. Flooding has also affected other rivers in the Hill County. The National Weather Service said Guadalupe River, Sandy Creek and Nueces River are facing a "dangerous situation." RELATED: Rain suspends search for person still missing in Texas flood According to the Austin American-Statesman, homes near Robinson City Park, Scotts Acres, Castell, the FM 2900 Bridge in Kingsland, Kingsland Lodge and Marble Falls are expected to face severe flooding. The following school districts have cancelled or delayed classes today: Llano ISD has cancelled all classes Rocksprings ISD has cancelled all classes Burnet CISD has cancelled all classes Fredericksburg ISD has cancelled all classes Hunt ISD has cancelled all classes Ingram ISD has cancelled all classes Leakey ISD has cancelled all classes Junction ISD has cancelled all classes Medina ISD has cancelled all classes Marble Falls ISD has cancelled all classes Harper ISD has cancelled all classes The Hill Country and other portions of South Central Texas have been hammered by heavy rain and flooding this month. Last week, four people were swept away as flood waters rushed through Junction, Texas, after storms dumped almost a foot of rain into the South Llano River. Three victims have been found and authorities on Monday temporarily called off the search for the fourth until the rain passed. Patrick Ojeda was swept away on Friday as he tried to drive across a bridge over the Sabinal River in Uvalde County. He was found a mile downstream.