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CNN Live Saturday

Officials Say Worst Is Over in Central Texas Floods

Aired July 06, 2002 - 17:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Some optimism tonight in south Central Texas, after thousands are forced to leave their homes in the flood ravaged area, more rain is expected, but officials say the worst may be over. CNN's Ed Lavandera is keeping track of things there, and he joins us from New Braunfels, Texas, with the very latest. Hi there, Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. New Braunfels, Texas is halfway between Austin and San Antonio. What you see behind me is the Guadalupe river. Normally in this area, it's a creek, basically -- I wouldn't say a creek, though -- it's about five to eight feet deep. Quite a ways down, just on the other side of that tree line, but it looks much different this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

And just a few hours ago -- want to show you some dramatic video. There are about 280 homes that are under water in this area, and a couple of those finally gave way to the rush of current that has been moving through this area in New Braunfels.

To give you an idea, the water up here as we're standing here might look very calm and tranquil and not moving very quickly, but out there, in the middle of where this river usually is, the current out there is incredibly strong. In fact, we're told that officials here kind of guarding the area, trying to keep everyone off of the water here. Apparently, there have been a couple of people who have tried to get on. Not a very bright idea to say the least. That current is incredibly strong. If the video images don't show that to you, just take their word for it. That is very powerful currents you're dealing with out there.

There have been about 280 homes that have been covered up by water here, and there were about 2,000 people who have evacuated. People like this who live in this home. Earlier this morning, this home you could see the grass and the lawn area here, but the water has moved up, crept up about another four feet today. It's about as high as it's going to go, but the water here has overtaken the porch and the lower parts of the house. We've also seen it sweep into the backyard. And as you make your way through there, you can really see just how messy this area has turned into, this neighborhood, in the heart of New Braunfels.

And a lot of people here expecting that the worst is over, but they're hoping that their homes will be able to withstand all of the pressures that it has been under. A lot of homes, you can see just the rooftops of homes in the water. They almost look like deserted islands sitting in the middle of the river here. And a lot of people don't know exactly what they're going to be coming home to in the days ahead.

We're told it will be about a week before the water here dissipates and moves on down river. All of this water has to go somewhere. And that means it's going downstream toward Seguin (ph) and Victoria on its way to the Gulf of Mexico -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank you very much, Ed. Appreciate it.

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