AUSTIN (KXAN) On Friday, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office said it identified a body found following the fatal flash flood event that moved through central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.
The sheriff’s office said the man was identified as 60-year-old Gary Alton Traugott, of Leander. He was found July 16 under the Big Sandy bridge as debris was removed.
In a separate update, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday’s joint operation by its Lake Patrol Unit, the Houston Police Department’s dive team, Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Jonestown Police Department in the waters of Cow Creek did not result in the discovery of any additional victims.
Authorities said 10 people have been recovered since the floods.
“Every person who was on the Travis County list of missing has been found alive or positively identified as deceased,” the sheriff’s office said.
Vigil for Texas flood victims
A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night in the Sandy Creek area of Leander, in honor of those who died in the area during the floods.
“People died in the flooding. Dozens of homes were washed away. Others were damaged severely. The vigil will honor victims and survivors and gain attention to get help for this devastated community. Residents are grieving and many are homeless,” organizers said.
According to attendees, the vigil served as a means to bring attention to the area, which some feel has been neglected since the flooding.
“The horrific magnitude of Kerrville has put the devastation in Sandy Creek and nearby areas in the shadows,” organizers said. “Residents are relying on the help of their own healthy neighbors and other grassroots caring fellow citizens to help clear debris of trees and houses washed away and to rebuild their community. More help is needed.”
