Flood News
Travis County community continues local flood relief efforts

Although damage was the worst deeper in the Hill Country, Travis County has its own major work to do.
As of early evening on July 8, seven people are dead and 10 remain missing in Travis County after devastating floods swept through parts of the county and across Central Texas over the weekend, prompting local officials to extend a disaster declaration and enact new safety measures as recovery efforts intensify.
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday extended the county’s local disaster declaration and approved a 30-day burn ban for northwest Travis County, including Big Sandy Creek, Cow Creek and other low-lying areas. County leaders said the ban is intended to prevent residents from burning flood debris, which could pose additional hazards during the recovery period.
A new state search-and-rescue team arrived on Tuesday morning to assist local crews in locating missing persons and supporting affected residents, officials said.
With cellphone service disrupted in many areas, AT&T is setting up a Wi-Fi hot spot at Round Mountain Baptist Church in Sandy Creek. The church has become a central hub in northwest Travis County for volunteers and organizations providing aid to flood victims.
Grocery retailer H-E-B has been distributing supply kits containing sanitary items and cleaning supplies since Monday, while the Central Texas Food Bank has delivered truckloads of food for residents to take home.
Integral Care Health is also offering counseling services, while dozens of local volunteers are delivering food and supplies to those unable to reach the church, including residents isolated by flood-damaged bridges.
Kat Wagner, the lead volunteer coordinator for the response effort, said it brings her to tears seeing the devastation in her community.
“It’s awful. People have literally lost their whole lives in just minutes, not even hours,” she said. “I couldn’t sit home and pretend that it was just another rainy day … I had to do something to help.”
After posting a call for help on social media, Wagner said requests to volunteer and donate supplies started pouring in. She said they’ve been able to provide hundreds of people with clothing, water and food.
Volunteers have also set up an area for residents to search for photographs and belongings recovered from the debris.
“People want to know where their family is, and that makes sense,” Wagner said. “At the same time, we’re trying not to give false hope or spread misinformation, but we’re also providing hope here — that there will be a tomorrow for our community.”
Residents like Chris Moss say the help the community is giving is essential. He lives down the road from the church, across the bridge that’s been closed due to flood damage. The only way to deliver supplies to people across it is on foot.
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Read the full story at KVUE.com.
