AUSTIN, Texas — As heavy rainfall swept into Central Texas Thursday evening, Austin-Travis County EMS said they responded to reports of multiple water rescues in the Austin area.
According to ATCEMS, rescue assets responded to the 700 block of North Bluff Drive at 7:28 p.m. Initial reports stated that multiple people were in the water and a child may have swept downstream. ATCEMS later confirmed that all people are safe and accounted for.
More details about this incident were provided at a press conference on Friday.
Two other rescues, one on Slaughter Lane and another at Turtle Creek Boulevard, were also reported. Initial statements were that they were stuck in their vehicles in rising water. They were eventually both reported to be in safe condition.
A fourth incident was reported at South First Street and West Oltorf Street. Initial reports were that several cars were in the water. ATCEMS said they found five cars but no one needed to be treated.
One of the drivers whose SUV was stalled by floodwaters told KVUE the road flooded very quickly. A wave of water from a CapMetro bus driving beside him stalled out his BMW.
Ashton Coyle, an employee working at the deli shop near the intersection, told KVUE it seemed like the floodwater came out of nowhere.
"It just started raining and I saw a couple of cars just stopped in the middle of the road, flooded. It's just like a river going by," Coyle said. "There were a bunch of cars that pulled into the parking lot here and waited it out."
A fifth incident occurred at Redd Street and Gillis Street. Initial reports were that two vehicles were in the water. This rescue was also canceled and all involved persons are safe.
A sixth occurred on the 1700 block of the southbound I-35 service road. Four vehicles were reported to be stuck in the water. No occupants were found inside.
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