Aerial view of Sandy Creek (X.com)
The July Fourth flooding event was tragic. That much has been the focus of national news over the weekend and into this week, with now over 100 deaths reported throughout Central Texas. Nothing more about that needs to be repeated here but here is a quick summary, followed by some ways to help.
- The majority of the deaths were along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and, where numerous campers were evacuated, several died, and a few are still unaccounted for. 14 inches of rainfall on average hit the river basin.
- The San Gabriel River (including north and south forks) was also hard hit with around 16 inches of rain and the brunt of the infrastructure damage in Georgetown, where a pedestrian bridge was taken out and nearby apartments evacuated. A boil water notice is in effect for areas north of Georgetown.
- Cow Creek on the Burnet-Travis county line near Lago Vista was also devastated, with many trailer homes taken out and the only bridge between Lago and Marble Falls completely taken out.
- The heaviest rainfall of the flooding event was along the area known as Sandy Creek, just west of Leander in far northwestern Travis County. Numerous homes were emaciated, with about as many missing person reports in the wake of the flood. At least one teenager is dead, a student from Tom Glen High School in Leander. The only road into a portion of the Sandy Creek Ranches neighborhood is gone, as rescue workers are using kayaks to deliver relief supplies to homes and properties -- some of which are without utilities at the moment.
Many are asking what the best way to help would be. While The Tracker agrees Kerr County needs the most help (donate here to coordinated relief efforts) we're a publication focused on Travis County -- and therefore must point out that Sandy Creek is in the county. The area is a mixture of estate homes and simpler dwellings such as trailers and modular homes, as well as several ... should we say "ruggedly independent" properties (and even a few off-the-radar backyard bars). It's a rough place but a beautiful place and a tightly knit community. There is no profit to be made here, and the county has historically been slow in responding.
But as such, the community has taken up for its own. First on the scene was Round Mountain Baptist Church, which immediately opened their building's doors to relief workers, those needing a place to stay for the night, and supplies, as well as some cattle pens for wayward animals. Neighbors were quick to inundate the shelter with supplies and offers to help.
The church is requesting unnecessary visitors and lookie-loos stay away to make room for emergency vehicles and workers, but is grateful for the outpouring of support, including truckloads of non-perishable food, water, and even a mobile ATM from a local credit union.
But the biggest need right now is keeping the church building open as a shelter as a staging operation site for emergency professionals and grassroots volunteers alike, and that requires some money. You can give to the church here (click on "Sandy Creek Ranches" from the pulldown menu up top).
There are "unofficial" donation sites at the washed out bridge along Big Sandy Drive.
The Sandy Creek and Round Mountain neighborhoods are unincorporated, which means Travis County is in charge of operations. Follow traviscountytx.gov for official information as it comes. A burn ban is in effect, for better or worse.
The church is asking anyone who needs help to not to be afraid to drop by in person and ask. Drive-up requests are being accommodated at the time of writing.
List of road closures before you head out: https://www.atxfloods.com.
In the long run, The Tracker recommends budgeting for monthly donations to any of the major organizations assisting in the relief effort: The Red Cross, Central Texas Food Bank, Hill Country Ministries, and numerous others as the recovery efforts continue. Even grocery giant H-E-B has a presence in Round Mountain. Continued support of these organizations allows for rapid responses to unpredictable natural disasters like these.
Donations to the Central Texas Food Bank (CentralTexasFoodBank.org) and Reveal Resource Center (revealresourcecenter.com) are also invaluable during this time.
Are you looking for someone who has not shown up since the flood? Call the Red Cross at (800) RED-CROSS or the Austin Disaster Relief Network at (512) 806-0800.
We also cannot stress enough to keep an eye on broadcast media during times of severe weather watches. Make sure your home can pick up local TV signals and that your vehicle has a radio (not just CarPlay or satellite radio). We also recommend purchasing a weather radio which can automatically turn on in the event of an emergency. Do not rely on cell phones, as signals are not always received and towers can go down during severe weather.
There are also independently organized efforts to help -- men with chainsaws and kayaks, and barbecue grillmasters offering leg quarters to anyone and everyone, and what you'd normally see in the Texas Hill Country. We strongly support this outpouring of support, but ask 1) those coming to help not block roadways or improvised pathways being used by rescue workers, and 2) check in with the shelter to see where the biggest needs are.
