Austin EMS Medics Simultaneously Called To Two Motorist Rescues Amid Flooding

AUSTIN, TX -- Of the 1,569 low water crossings in the Austin metro area, 225 of them are currently closed as a result of Thursday's rain that has persisted since early morning.

Meanwhile, Austin Travis-County EMS officials are on the scene at two separate locations attempting to save trapped motorists from high water.

But it's not even raining that hard anymore, you might be saying. Plus, the heaviest storm formation appear to be departing from the Austin metro area.

Yet visually judging storm's progress is deceptive. The soaked nature of soil due to previous previous rains make for the necessary ingredients potentially triggering sudden floods since newly descended water has nowhere else to go.

As this story was being written, Austin-Travis County EMS officials were sent on two separate high-water rescues -- one of which they had to dispatch a Star Flight medical chopper -- occurring within minutes of each other at around 11 a.m. Thursday.

One rescue was being attempted in the 14000 block of Fitzhugh Road, with multiple emergency vehicles and a helicopter carrying medics descending upon the scene. The other rescue effort was reported at Littig Road, where a person was stuck in a vehicle amid high water.

Fortunately, both rescue attempts were abbreviated after victims walked away on their own steam, according to updates provided by EMS officials. Two women involved in the Fitzhugh incident were successfully rescued from eight-foot water, while the other motorist escaped unharmed as well.

But the incidents dramatically illustrate just why the area continues to be under a flash flood watch, a status expected to be in place all day today.

The slogan "Turn Around, Don't Drown" is no empty sentiment, but a succinct message based on past tragedies that can emerge from people misjudging how high water can get at certain crossings. Motorists have died trying to cross through sections of roadway where high water is present, thinking their cars can make it through.

The lethal potential has not only yielded the public service campaign centered on the mantra, but prompts local officials to close certain crossings altogether.

Already, more than 225 such crossings have closed. In planning your trip, there is a useful website dubbed ATX Floods to visit to plot out travel routes in avoidance of such areas. Closed this morning are crossings all along the 6000 to 7000 block of Spicewood Springs; Joe Tanner Lane; Old Bee Caves Road; Adelphi Lane; Waters Park Road; Old San Antonio Road; Cameron Road; Slaughter Creek Drive; and others.

Outlying communities bordering Austin aren't immune either. In Cedar Park, low-water crossings are closed at Peach Tree Lane, Cypress Lane, Sumac Lane and Cedar Park Drive. In Leander, Ridgmar Road at Brush Creek is closed off, along with Broade Way and Summit Street, also both at Brushy Creek.

In Round Rock, the crossing at Old Bowman Road is closed, along with low-water points at several country roads, including CR 328, CR 251 CR 223 and CR 22.

For the full list of road closures, visit ATX Flooding by clicking here. The list of closures you'll see there comes in list form to the right of a map illustrating the crossings' geographical locations.

And slow down to avoid hydroplaning.

To remind loved ones of the danger of attempting to cross where high water is present, refer them to this video showing just how easy a car can be swept away by flood waters -- sometimes even after the rain has stopped.

"Bad decision," a narrator says ominously as a car is shown being carried off by the power of surging water. "And it could be your last."