Crime & Safety
2 People Rescued From High Water: Austin EMS
Amid potential for flash flooding as rain pelted the region, two people got stuck in about 2 feet of water along 13400 block of Kimbro Road.
EAST AUSTIN, TEXAS — Amid heavy rainfall on Friday, tragedy was averted after emergency crews rescued the occupants of a vehicle that had gotten stuck in high water.
Austin-Travis County EMS medics got the rescue call just before 11:15 p.m. alerting them to the stuck vehicle along the 13400 block of Old Kimbro Rd. in East Austin. Medics said via Twitter that two people were in the car in 2 feet of what was described as "moderately moving water."
Emergency crews from various departments descended onto the scene to effect the rescue. Ultimately, medics said. Ultimately, officials added, both people made it out of the vehicle safely to solid ground, and required no medical treatment.
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FINAL: Water Rescue at ~13400 block of Old Kimbro Rd; On-scene command advising all victims are now safely out of the vehicle and on shore, voicing no medical complaints. Rescue incident has been downgraded, with all other responding assets canceled.
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 8, 2018
UPDATE: Water Rescue at ~ 13400 block of Old Kimbro Rd; First on-scene rescue assets confirming 1 vehicle with 2 occupants in ~2 feet of "moderately moving water". @TravisCountyES Rescue swimmers have made water entry, advising they have made victim contact. More to follow...
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 8, 2018
Multiple #ATCEMS @AustinFireInfo @TravisCountyES Rescue assets & @STAR_Flight_TC responding to a reported Water Rescue at ~ 13400 block of Old Kimbro Rd (23:14); Initial reports of a vehicle caught in swift moving water with 2 occupants in the vehicle. More to Follow...
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 8, 2018
The incident came as rain pelted the region throughout the day, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch in effect until Saturday morning. Yet as of 10 p.m. Friday night, the rainfall totals in Austin fell short of the record for the day, the National Weather Service reported. The Camp Mabry rain gauge recorded 2.06 inches of rain that fell on Austin — a half-inch short of the record 2.56 inches recorded in 1915.
As of 10pm Austin Mabry has had 2.06" of rain so far today. That falls 1/2 an inch short of their record of 2.56" from 1915. Based on the rainfall rates out of this next wave of rainfall we *may NOT* get there... 1-2 hour totals have only been 1/4 of an inch.
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) December 8, 2018
7:34p - The highest rainfall totals continue to be in the area right along the Travis/Bastrop County line where close to 4.5 inches has fallen since rain began yesterday. This area is under a Flash Flood Warning. Rainfall totals East of I-35 are mostly above 2 inches. #txwx pic.twitter.com/vWscNaVrtj
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) December 8, 2018
Some areas, however, got substantially more rainfall amounts. The highest rainfall totals came along the Travis/Bastrop County line where close to 4.5 inches has fallen since rain began yesterday, NWS forecasters reported. Rainfall totals east of Interstate 35 are mostly above 2 inches, forecasters added.
Find out what's happening in East Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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Manor PD and @Traviscoesd12 on scene of high water rescue at the 13500 Block of Old Kimbro Rd. The two occupants ahave been safely helped from the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/j0YLPjoQFX
— Manor Police Department (@ManorPolice) December 8, 2018
Travis County Emergency Services officials joined their counterparts at other agencies in warning residents to be extra cautious when driving. Officials noted night driving was particularly treacherous given low visibility.
Be cautious as you drive tonight! Flooded roadways are harder to recognize at night.#travco https://t.co/Ixx42qaHoD
— Travis County E.S. (@TravisCountyES) December 8, 2018
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