Parts of western and central Texas are at increased flood risk starting Thursday afternoon, with a lot of rainwater gathering in Lake Travis, in Travis County.
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But independently of the Pedernales River, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) announced on Wednesday afternoon that they are opening multiple floodgates at the Wirtz Dam and at Starcke Dam later today. Water released from these two dams travels downstream through Lake Marble Falls and then into Lake Travis. As a result, the water levels could rise by up to 10 feet in the next few days, meteorologists are warning, causing a massive risk of flooding. “Take action now to protect people and property that may be affected,” the LCRA said.
As the rainfall on the Pedernales and the Colorado River continued, residents and locals shared photos of the rising water levels heading towards Lake Travis. Many also shared visuals of Lake Travis, as water levels also continued to rise there.
Here’s a video of the Pedernales on Thursday afternoon:
This story is being updated.
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By early this morning, the rainfall on the Pedernales River watershed had reached up to one foot since 12am CDT Thursday. According to CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco, the river is at the highest level since 1979. In an X post on Thursday morning. Tomasco claimed that the situation could escalate into a “generational flood event.”
According to the water data on the website of the Texas Water Development Board, Lake Travis is 85% full as of Thursday afternoon.
