Areas of Round Rock were hit hard by the recent flooding from Tropical Storm Hermine and city staff were out in force to help our residents. Photos

Firefighters, police officers and Public Works crews were in the thick of events the night of the flooding. They helped evacuate residents from flooded homes. Police Communications used the Reverse-911 system to alert home owners in the middle of the night of the need to evacuate and Clay Madsen Recreation Center was opened as an emergency shelter. The Emergency Operations Center was activated to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts. After the rains passed, city personnel helped with the recovery efforts lead by Celebration Church volunteers, Round Rock West homeowners association, El Amistad Club and the City’s police officers and firefighters and Public Works and Parks and Recreation crews.

Round Rock Firefighters responded to calls all across Round Rock. Firefighters assisted numerous families with evacuations along Brushy Creek on Pecan Ave. and on St. Williams Loop and Lake Creek Drive near Lake Creek. A total of 82 homes were flooded. Fire personnel established a temporary shelter for evacuees at Fire Station #5 prior to the City opening the Clay Madsen Center. Firefighters participated in two vehicle rescues at Lake Creek and Oak Ridge after drivers were caught in rising flood waters.

Public Works crews have been working on debris removal from roadways and neighborhoods. As of Wednesday, Public Works Operations Manager Todd Keltgen said city crews have moved more than 2,500 cubic yards of debris. Staff are also assisting residents with property damage.

“The Public Works crews made the difference in the clean-up effort,” says Assistant Police Chief Tim Ryle.

Public Works personnel also discovered a wastewater leak on Lake Creek, and worked quickly to contain the leak and install a bypass line.

The Library is waiving all fines and fees for patrons with Library materials damaged by the flooding from Lake Creek or Brushy Creek.

Many of our city parks were damaged due to flooding. Memorial Park was hit the hardest as flood waters caused the Torpedo to fall off its mount and the War Memorial Monument washed off its base. Additionally, the Fibar surfacing has been completely washed away from the playground structures and fences. Sidewalks and the pedestrian bridge also were damaged.

Damages occurred at other Parks and Recreation facilities including the Rabb House, Veterans Park, Lake Creek Park, Meadowlake Park, Old Settlers Park, St. Williams Loop and Creekside.

The Parks and Recreation team has made major progress with the clean-up efforts, but there is still more work to be done. To that end, PARD is coordinating with the Round Rock Volunteer Center to organize a Volunteer Clean-up Event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at both Memorial and Lake Creek Park.

Interested volunteers can meet at Memorial Park at 9 a.m. for check-in to assist with clean-up efforts. Clean-up efforts will continue for the next several weeks.

The recovery goes on in the aftermath of this devastating storm. FEMA and American Red Cross teams have been assessing the damage, and the city continues to work with those agencies to help those hardest hit get the assistance they need.

A special thanks goes out to all our dedicated City personnel for their tireless efforts both during the flood and in the aftermath.

Did your department or someone you know provide extraordinary service during the flooding? Leave a comment and tell us about it.