Pflugerville Kayaker Feared Drowned After Storm (Updated)

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — Emergency crews searched for a missing kayaker Sunday evening in the aftermath of a powerful storm before deeming their work as one involving recovery of a body rather than rescue effort.

Police received a call just before 7 p.m. about a potential drowning at Lake Pflugerville. As severe weather swept through the region, a woman in her 20s on a kayak was carried off into deeper water, police said in a press advisory.

Neither the woman or the kayak had been recovered as of Sunday evening. By 9:38 p.m. came the grim news from police that emergency efforts were shifted from rescue to one meant to recover a body as the woman was believed drowned.

Police, along with crews with the Pflugerville Fire Department and the Austin Fire Department were on scene Sunday evening conducting a search for the missing woman. Officials said Lake Pflugerville is closed to the public for the time being, including the trail, as the search for the body continues. Joining local law enforcement and fire officials in the search are crews with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Jonestown Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, according to the Pflugerville Police Department.

Ahead of the storm, emergency officials throughout the region pleaded with the public to stay out of waterways as the storm approached. At Lake Buchanan, some 70 miles northwest of Austin, some 80 people were guided to safety as their cruise boat began to tread heavy water Sunday afternoon.

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Parts Of Williamson County Under Tornado Warning

The entire region was under a tornado warning at the peak of the storm before the front passed through. By early evening, heavy rainfall fell on Travis and Williamson county along with other parts of Central Texas with accompanying strong winds.

Built in 2005 to provide residents with a reservoir source of drinking water, the 180-acre Lake Pflugerville has become a favored family playground, according to a municipal website. The lake's Wikipedia entry notes that pumps are used to flow water through a 16-mile pipeline to the reservoir from the lower Colorado River. Its maximum depth is just under 40 feet.

Completed by 2006, the lake lures visitors with seven fishing piers, swimming sites, jogging trails, canoes, kayaks and wind surfing. It's a popular spot for kayakers given a municipal ban on motorized power boats.