LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Resources and crews continue to arrive across Central Texas for those impacted by devastating floods, but residents of western Travis County — particularly the southern tip of Leander near Big Sandy Drive — say they feel overlooked.
“This is crazy. I know we’re not Kerr County, I know we’re not Kerrville, I know we’re not San Angelo or San Antonio, but hell! We’re human beings,” Travis County resident Auburne Gallagher said through tears. “Help us! Give us what we need.”
Round Mountain Baptist Church has opened its doors to help pass out water, food, and most importantly help get people information. At the front door is a list of people who may be missing.
“While it’s been devastating, it’s also been awe-inspiring to see the community just band together and work together to provide space for people to come,” said Katherine Waggoner, who works at the church.
Waggoner said the greatest need is for information. They want help finding people who have not been seen since the floods washed through.
“People just want to know what’s going on. They want to know where their loved ones are,” Waggoner said.
H-E-B sent crews to Round Mountain Baptist Church to distribute first aid kits, food and hygiene products Monday morning.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown was in Leander Sunday and Monday, and relayed an update from fire rescue crews.
“They’ve got a lot of searching to do. Sandy Creek, I believe, is something like 18 miles from the top down to the lake. And that’s the main area where they’re going to be doing searching but also along Cal Creek and other areas that normally aren’t creeks at all, but had water in them over that last 24-36 hours,” Brown said.
Lt. Jared Truair, with Travis County ESD 1, was one of the first responders on duty when the floods hit. He said despite having the manpower, it was challenging for first responders to reach those who needed help.
“Water had already crossed the roadway behind us so we were kind of stuck,” he described of one of his first calls. “At that point, about an hour later, the water in front of us receded. We decided to proceed west towards Marble Falls to come back to try to get to our district, which we eventually did. At that point more rescues had started to happen with the waters rising.”
Truair said ESD 1 received resources from other Travis County ESDs and the city of Austin, and state resources were on standby to help.
But still, as some residents of Travis County dig through what’s left after floods ripped away most of their belongings, and even their loved ones, they feel they aren’t getting the help they need.
“We don’t want to be the step children anymore, we’re human beings out here,” said Gallagher.