Llano County added to federal disaster declaration
The Llano River surged again on July 13-14 following flooding July 4 and again July 12. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Llano County is now among the 10 Hill Country counties included in a presidential disaster declaration following the Fourth of July flood, making it eligible to receive public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The initial declaration only included Kerr County, the heaviest-hit area, but as of July 13, it also covers Burnet (added July 11), Llano (July 13), Kendall, Kimble, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, and Tom Green counties.
Llano County is only eligible to receive public assistance, meaning federal funds can be used for public works projects but not for residents or individual property owners. Burnet County qualifies for both public and individual assistance due to the extent of damage to public and private properties.
“As far as I know, we just have damaged roads,” Llano County Emergency Management Coordinator Gilbert Bennett told DailyTrib.com.
Bennett said little damage to private property was reported, but many county roads and low-water crossings were washed out in flooding over the July 4 weekend. Another flood July 12 caused even more damage to roadways. Llano County had no reported fatalities are major injuries during either event.
Many of the damaged roads are now repaired and passable, but as of Tuesday, July 15, low-water crossings on County Road 102 and CR 307 (Slab Road) are still submerged.
Federal funds will be used to recoup the costs of Llano County’s flood response and repairs to county roads.
According to Bennett, county officials were prepared for flooding on their end as Lower Colorado River Authority monitors on the Llano River registered steep rises leading up to July 4.
“We saw the 21-foot rise in the (Llano River) at Mason, and it gave us time to clear everybody out,” he said.
Llano County first responders provided mutual aid to Burnet County during the thick of the flooding as well as a 13-person team in the ongoing search for missing Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips, who was washed away in his vehicle on Cow Creek while responding to a distress call July 5. As of Tuesday, he is the last known missing person in Burnet County following the flood.