BASTROP COUNTY -- A Bastrop County man survived a close call Wednesday after flood waters washed his vehicle off the road.
Joseph Halstrom was on his way to work at about 6 a.m. when rushing waters from heavy rains washed his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee off Jenkins Drive in Cedar Creek.
"The victim was trapped about 300 yards off dry land, so it was difficult to get to him," said president of Bastrop County Emergency Services District #1 David Gahagan. "We couldn't get a swimmer to him so we had to call Austin-Travis County STAR Flight."
"They had quite a few flashes of lightning that were close," said Mike Summers with Austin-Travis County STAR Flight. "It is distracting trying to stay focused on where the victim is."
Halstrom's mother told KVUE News that her son was in water up to his waist before climbing to the top of the car. He told her the water felt ice cold and he was scared.
"The water was at the hood," said Gahagan. "As we waited on STAR Flight, I think their [estimated arrival time] was eight minutes, the water was up to the windshield and moving toward the roof, so time was of the essence."
Crews used a harness and 300 feet of cable to rescue Halstrom and bring him to safety. 12 hours later, the Jeep remained stuck, but much closer to Jenkins Drive. Michael Allen witnessed the early morning rescue and realizes it could have easily turned into a tragic situation.
"The creek goes all the way to 21," said Allen. "If he had been six feet over he may have been off in there somewhere. No one knows right now."
Crews with Bastrop County ESD #1 also rescued 13 people from three flooded homes during Wednesday's storms.
