July 4 flood leaves destruction in its wake
Park Road 4 at the U.S. 281 intersection in Burnet County is closed due to major flood damage. Staff photo by Dakota Morrisiey
Floodwaters have destroyed bridges, businesses, homes, and lives across the Highland Lakes since the Llano and Colorado rivers and their tributaries began rising on Friday, July 4. Major highways and back roads alike were washed out and are now intraversable.
Some Highland Lakes residents lost their homes, businesses, vehicles, personal property, and more.
Burnet County officials are asking residents to report damage through the Texas Division of Emergency Management at this link.
ROAD CLOSURES
(As of Monday, July 7)
RR 1431 at Cow Creek
The Cow Creek bridge on RR 1431 was destroyed on Saturday, July 5, blocking travel along the road between Marble Falls and Lago Vista and beyond.
Replacing the bridge is a Texas Department of Transportation project. DailyTrib.com reached out for a timeline but did not hear back by the time of this article’s publication. According to a Facebook post from Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, which lies along RR 1431 near Cow Creek, the bridge will likely require “long-term repairs.”
Park Road 4
UPDATE: Park Road 4 is open as of Tuesday morning. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Park Road 4 near the U.S. 281 intersection in Burnet County sustained heavy damage and is closed as of Monday. Crews could be seen clearing debris on Monday morning, and entry to Park Road 4 from U.S. 281 was blocked.
FM 1174 at Cow Creek
Another Cow Creek bridge, this one on FM 1174, was also reportedly destroyed in the flood. The road extends from RR 1431 a few miles east of Marble Falls and runs north to Bertram. It is also one of the primary access points to Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
According to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, one lane on this road is open for emergency use only and repairs for regular travel will likely take some time.
Other road closures and notices
The following is just some of the damaged roads and crossings collected through DailyTrib.com reporting and notifications from the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office. Some lower crossings might still have water flowing over them and drivers are cautioned to not pass through until it has receded.
- Burnet County FM 243 West, 6700 block—Low-water crossing bridge has been washed out.
- Burnet County CR 113—Low-water crossing has been washed out.
- UPDATE: Burnet County CR 120 is now open.
- Llano County CR 3404, Slab Road—Covered in sand and debris.
- Burnet County RM 963 at the San Gabriel River bridge—Closed due to damage.
Other damage
Hamilton Creek flooding caused mass damage throughout the tributary.
Cedar Stays RV Park at 3380 RR 1431 East was completely flooded out. Literal tons of debris, including at least two vehicles, were washed down the creek.
Businesses and homes in Burnet were also damaged by Hamilton Creek flooding. The Thirsty Penguin at 700 S. Water St. (U.S. 281), Bulldog Motors at 708 S. Water St., and all of the businesses housed at 711 S. Water St. were filled with floodwaters.
Also, the historic Joppa Bridge in northern Burnet County was destroyed on July 5.
3 thoughts on “July 4 flood leaves destruction in its wake”
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It’s FM 1431 (not RR)
Hate to tell you, but parts of 1431 are RR and other parts are FM. Used to be that the sign at the intersection of 281 and 1431 said FM, but the state changed it to RR.
Oops, my error. The road is FM and RM (not RR).