Overnight storms turned the San Gabriel River into an unwelcome wake-up call for residents in low-lying RV parks east of Georgetown, with swift-rising water pushing into riverside lots and prompting early-morning evacuations on Wednesday. Williamson County officials opened an emergency shelter and pleaded with drivers to stay off flooded roads as levels continued to climb.
Evacuations and shelter
County emergency crews reported flooding around the Shady River and Good Water RV parks and told anyone in the area to move to higher ground without delay. A temporary shelter was set up at Georgetown Church of the Nazarene, 4051 E University Ave, for displaced residents, according to KEYE. First responders fanned out through the parks to knock on doors, check on residents, and make sure no one slept through the evacuation orders.
Weather watch and river levels
The National Weather Service had a Flood Watch posted for the region until 8 a.m. Wednesday, warning that soaked ground combined with additional rainfall could spark flash flooding. Forecasters said smaller rivers and creeks like the San Gabriel can spike quickly in those conditions and repeated the familiar warning to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” according to the National Weather Service.
Scale of the evacuations
County officials estimated that roughly 20 families, representing about 17 RVs, left the two riverfront parks as the water rose, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The parks sit just off State Highway 29 east of Georgetown, where two boat teams staged nearby in case swift-water rescues were needed and planned to remain on standby until the river recedes, FOX 7 Austin reported.
Past flooding and local risk
The same stretch of riverfront was hammered during last summer’s severe storms, when floodwaters swamped the RV parks, led to a local disaster declaration, and triggered dozens of rescues. The repeat trouble spot underscores how quickly the San Gabriel can jump from a calm flow to a dangerous flood stage, a pattern highlighted in local coverage and emergency briefings by outlets including KUT and in previous flood warning and shelter coverage.
What residents should know
Officials are urging people in flood-prone parts of Williamson County to sign up for WarnCentralTexas alerts, avoid driving through standing water of any depth, and check real-time road-closure tools like ATXfloods or DriveTexas before heading out. County emergency sites and local forecast offices remain the go-to sources for up-to-date conditions and travel advisories, guidance that has been echoed by FOX 7 Austin and the National Weather Service.
Williamson County Emergency Services said crews will stay in the area until river levels drop and officials deem the parks safe for residents to return. Until then, authorities are asking people to stay plugged into county channels and local forecasts for the latest word on when it is safe to head back.
