Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management - click here to link to page Public Information Statement 2015 Halloween Flood: River at Bastrop cresting now at 36.11 feet. That is about 5 feet above the Memorial Weekend 2015 flood and about 1.5 feet below the record 1991 Christmas flood. The River expected to crest in Smithville at 29 feet this evening about 8:30. Operations partners are city of Bastrop, BBEC, Aqua Water, Department of Public Safety, ESD1 & 2 and several VFDs, BCSO, Texas Parks and Wildlife, LCRA, Star Flight, and BISD. There were over 100 water rescues, most by boat, a few by helicopter 100s of families were evacuated. Last night 110 people, mostly from eastern Travis County, were sheltered at Bastrop Christian Outreach Center. I want to express our deep gratitude to BCOC for opening their doors and hearts to these evacuees. Going forward, Bastrop churches First Methodist Church on Main St. and the Church of Christ on FM 20 will accept those who need a temporary place to stay. Livestock can be taken to the Hills Prairie Sale Barn or the Bastrop Arena and Show Barn. In a prepared statement, Judge Pape said, "Data has changed dramatically during this event, leading to uncertainty. I'm thankful for our seasoned local resources. On any given day, we know exactly the lake levels, but today, in flood conditions, we are guessing at River stages downstream. We need more gauges on the river system below Austin, generating more timely data. Senator Kirk Watson and I are working with LCRA on these needs. I am hopeful, even confident, that our partners at LCRA will work with us to get this done." Deputy Director of Emergency Management Mike Fisher said so far there have been no injuries or deaths in Bastrop County, Please stay off of the river until the water subsidies, Respect barricades - turn around, don't drown. There have been 22 county roads closed, a complete list can be found atwww.atxfloods.com River Gauge data is less certain because of development and impervious cover, we need more and better Colorado River gauges.
