Storm recovery begins in Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - If Tuesday was the longest night, with terrifying, rapidly rising waters swamping homes in the heart of darkness, then Thursday may be the longest day, as the cleanup that began at dawn carries on.

In southern Round Rock, the neighborhood along Lake Creek suffered extensive damage, the worst, they said, since the great storm of 1984.

City officials said they know of 81 homes that were flooded by Tropical Storm Hermine . Of those, 73 had less than 36 inches of water and eight had between 37 and 60 inches of water.

The hardest hit area was along Lake Creek in the Round Rock West neighborhood.

Katherine Meyer, a 16-year resident, recalled, "The water was coming into my house from both directions, from the back and the flood out there in front just blew those doors open. Mud, tree limbs and garbage just filled my home. It was terrible."

The city is doing what it can. Round Rock police are offering security patrols and relief supplies. The Refuse Service has been out all day, forklifting soggy, damaged belongings into huge trash bins, something greatly appreciated by residents.

"This is great. We did not have this in '84, they're very helpful, yes," said Cynthia Dunbar, a 26-year resident.

Asked if she'd consider moving, Dunbar replied with a laugh, "No, it's beautiful in the backyard, we've got our pool, the creek back there and everything."

The Dunbar pool is currently overflowing with brown, murky and debris-filled water.

Rep John Carter, (R) 31st District, toured several counties Thursday and said the governor has ordered 40 counties disaster areas eligible for federal relief.

"It's now officially a disaster area by the state of Texas, and a request sent to Washington," Carter said. "We expect a response if they see it that way. This is a hurricane -- it's a hurricane that turned into a tropical storm and dumped a bunch of water."

The only roads that remain closed are the low water crossings on Lee Street in Memorial Park, on Lake Creek Drive in Lake Creek Park and Harrell Parkway in Old Settlers Park.