Austin Area Flooded by Overnight Storms, Deputy Missing

Up to 6 inches of rain fell overnight in areas around Austin and Travis County overnight turning dry creek beds into raging torrents.  Authorities northwest of Austin are searching for a Travis County deputy whose squad car was swept away by the floods. 

According to a report, a deputy who was patrolling low water crossings radioed to authorities that her car was being swamped by water.  As of 8:30 Thursday morning, the deputy and her vehicle had not been located.

Thousands of Austinites remained without power Thursday morning.