Driver still missing after floods

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Fire Department rescue boats have been up and down Bull Creek Wednesday looking for the driver of a black SUV that, according to authorities, went around barricades on FM 2222 near Loop 360 during the floods last night and was swept away.

It was one of two that were yanked into the water at the notorious flooding spot. Here's a gallery of the damage at Bull Creek park.

The first vehicle, a black Mercedes two-door coupe, belonged to a woman Austin Fire Department crews rescued early Wednesday morning. She was one of two high-water rescue searches at Ranch to Market Road 2222 and Bull Creek.

Around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters said the woman drove her Mercedes from Lakewood Drive onto RM 2222 and then into the low water crossing. 

Officials said it was unclear if the woman went around barricades or if the barricades were not up yet. Rescuers pulled that woman from the creek behind the County Line restaurant. She refused treatment. 

The second vehicle, a black Lexus SUV, belonged to another woman and was located downstrem approximately a half-mile from Bull Creek and RM 2222.

Firefighters said the driver, a woman between 40- and 60 years old, drove her dark-colored Lexus SUV around a barricade before driving into the low water crossing at Bull Creek , which is known for flooding during storms.

She was still missing late Wednesday.

Austin Fire Department Capt. Marc Saenz said it happened around midnight at Ranch to Market Road 2222 and Loop 360 , when the rushing water swept the SUV off the roadway and caused it to roll over and disappear.

Rescuers put three boats into the water to search for any signs of the woman or the SUV, but had to pull out two of the vessels due to dangerous debris.

"Once you're in the flow of water, you're at the mercy of Mother Nature, and Mother Nature can be pretty harsh," said AFD Specialist DJ Walker.

What's left of the SUV was found late last night a few feet from a dock about a quarter of mile downstream.

Just upstream from that SUV, the Mercedes is barely recognizable after it, too, was swept downstream.

"We just thought, 'This is terrible,'" said Bob Newell, who saw the car get swept away.

Newell along with his nephew witnessed the Mercedes stall out then carried away by the waters of Bull Creek.

"We can't get them out, and there's nothing we can do. But then, when the rescue people came, we thought, 'Well, they have a chance.' But, then they went over the wall, and we thought there was no chance," Newell said.

Rescue crews were able to save the driver of in the Mercedes. The bridge where both cars were swept away is less than 100 yards from Fire Station 31.

Firefighters remind people to never go around barricades and said this was a tragic reminder of the dangers one could face if they do.

Meanwhile, RM 2222 was closed from Loop 360 to Mount Bonnell until 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Texas Department of Transportation crews spent most of Wednesday repairing a portion of FM 2222 that was washed away by the flood.

As of 5:30 Wednesday afternoon one lane in each direction was back open.