Flood Response

Hill Country foundation launches new flood relief fund for 2026

People look out at flood on July 16, 2026 in Center Point, Texas

The same foundation that collected more than $60 million for the 2025 floods has launched a new fund for 2026.

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Austinites looking to support Hill Country neighbors affected by floods over the past two days can turn to the same organization they did for the July 2025 floods: The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has launched a new Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund that is accepting donations now.

The foundation emphasizes that the two funds are distinct (last year's was called the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund), so donors should note that their contributions will specifically go toward Hill Country residents affected by the current floods. The money raised will offer emergency assistance and long-term recovery support.

Texas governor Greg Abbott confirmed that at least one person has died as a result of the flooding. Harsh weather is not over yet. The National Weather Service (NWS) has a flood watch currently active through portions of South and Central Texas (around Austin and San Antonio) until noon on Friday, July 17. Early on Thursday, July 16, the NWS also forecast a flood crest along the Guadalupe River that was higher than any since 1900.

Yesterday, July 15, the governor declared a disaster in 59 counties including Travis to help emergency services respond quickly.

Although many regional businesses, churches, and other groups organized donations for the 2025 floods, the Community Foundation was the main entity holding and distributing funds. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund totaled more than $60 million by the end of that July.

"Our hearts break that the Texas Hill Country is once again facing catastrophic flooding. Just one year after the devastating July 2025 floods, many of our neighbors are again in harm's way," said Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country CEO Austin Dickson. "People from across Texas and around the world came together to help Kerr County begin the long road to recovery. As first responders and local and state officials continue their response efforts, the Community Foundation's role is to help ensure communities have the philanthropic resources they need to recover in the weeks, months and years ahead."

Hobby How-to

New social app for trying guided hobbies launches in Austin

Photo by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash

Practicing a hobby together can be a great way to make friends.

It's generally held wisdom that a great way to make friends is through hobbies. But when figuring out how to start, folks can hit a wall. That's why a new tech company, Soularis, has officially launched in Austin, with the goal of introducing users to new hobbies and each other.

Soularis essentially acts as a booking platform where users can hire guides (or sign up to be one) to lead them in a wide variety of hobbies from tennis, to music production, to reading tarot.

Founder and CEO Alexandra Frankel Silverman saw "firsthand" that finding a hobby can be an uphill battle, a press release says. That might be surprising for someone who has chased pastimes as diverse ceramics and marathon training, but as she told the website Bold Journey, it took work to get there. After a breakup, she said her life felt "really f**king boring," and she made a list of possible hobbies, stumbling through the early logistics.

Now that she's on the other, more hobby-filled side of life, her list-making proclivity has evolved into a platform that Austinites can join themselves. Silverman also tapped Amy Lohr as the chief brand officer for Soularis.

The app dubs the users who hire people "explorers" and the users who lead people "guides." It also creates a third category called "havens" for local venues that are hosting the experiences.

Havens aren't on the platform yet, but the website suggests that businesses with slow hours can sign up to host "curated experiences" during those times. Havens are key to what sets Soularis apart from similar apps, the website shows on a comparison chart that lists "curated venue matching" and "3-sided marketplace" as unique strengths.

Users who already have a hobby in mind can type it into the Soularis search bar, or they can browse five preset categories: creative arts, fitness & wellness, food & drink, celestial & outdoors, and skills & learning.

A quick scroll through some of these finds "journeys" that range from $15 (paddle boarding with music and conversation) to $250 (a private wine tasting). Filters also let users browse by "journey type" (group or private) and skill level. The release says new offerings will keep popping up.

Curious users who want to meet the Soularis team can attend a free Hobby Club gathering at Zilker Park on Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30 pm. Bringing a hobby to work on is encouraged, but not required. Dogs can also join, too.

apps hobbies fitness wellness social social club