Texas Flooding: Llano River Reaches Near Record-Breaking Heights, Bridge Collapses

Since cresting at almost record-breaking height, the Llano River in Texas poses serious flooding danger to residents in the area, who were ordered to evacuate to higher ground.

On Tuesday morning, the river crested at 39.91 feet, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), just under the record of 41.5 feet. By 9 a.m. CDT, the river was high enough to almost top the Roy B. Inks Bridge in Llano, as shown in a video Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Robbie Barrera sent KEYE.

"Anyone living within 1/4 mile of the river should evacuate immediately to higher ground," the Llano County Office of Emergency Management wrote on Facebook. "The bridge at 2900 will be topped soon."

Less than an hour after the Facebook post, water not only topped the FM 2900 Bridge in Kingsland, Texas, but it forced parts of it to collapse.

"When severe weather strikes, Texas will ensure our responders and local officials have what they need to respond and protect those in harm's way," Governor Greg Abbott said in a release. "I also urge all Texans to take their safety into their own hands by closely monitor changing weather conditions and heeding warnings from local officials."

Since Monday, over 10 inches of rain inundated parts of the Llano River within about 30 hours, and the Austin-American Statesman reported evacuations in the city of Marble Falls were ordered along:

• Live Oak
• Lakeshore Drive
• Pecan Circle
• Backbone
• Barrier Lane
• Louise
• Edith
• South Avenue J
• 2147 West

Shelters were set up at Meadowlakes City Hall and Marble Falls Middle School. The Llano County Office of Emergency Management added that shelters were being set up at the First Baptist Church and Inmans Kitchen in Llano, as well as, at the Kingsland Community Center.

The NWS reported that homes in Robinson City Park will flood and many homes in Scotts Acres on the south side of Llano will be severely damaged with the lowest mobile homes being entirely destroyed by six feet of water.

"Disastrous life-threatening flooding will damage numerous homes and businesses above Castell to Lake LBJ," the NWS said. "Disastrous flooding well into the floodplain will cut off and potentially drown thousands of livestock."

Molly Oak, a reporter for KVUE, tweeted photos of the flooding and explained that some boat houses were already destroyed.

Four people disappeared on October 8 after the South Llano River in Junction, Texas, flooded and two of their bodies were discovered last week. On Saturday, another body was recovered and authorities had to suspend the search for the fourth person after heavy rain resumed on Monday.

John Culpepper from the Gillespie County Office of Emergency Management told KXAN that there were eight rescues related to high water on Monday night.

Flooding from the Llano River isn't the only concern Texas is facing and the NWS forecasted major flooding at the Nueces River and Guadalupe River. Moderate flooding was also expected from the Colorado River, Sandy Creek, San Gabriel River, Frio River, Trinity River, Bedias Creek, North Bosque River and the Leon River.

During moderate flooding, some evacuations will be ordered, buildings will have minor or moderate flood damage and water could make roads impassable. During major flooding, significant evacuations will be ordered, many buildings will have substantial damage and erosion problems are extreme.