LEANDER —After devastating floods swept across Texas’ Hill Country during Independence Day, stormwaters carried away at least two homes in an Austin-area neighborhood, residents told The Dallas Express.
A flood surged through a neighborhood west of Leander, near Round Mountain Road, overnight between July 4 and 5. The Dallas Express visited the scene and found widespread destruction.
Floodwaters from Big Sandy Creek swept across Round Mountain Road and Big Sandy Drive, leaving behind twisted wood and mangled debris. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, this followed deadly flooding throughout the Hill Country.
When The Dallas Express arrived, one man departing the area said, “It’s real bad.”
A law enforcement officer told the reporter there were no confirmed missing persons “that we’ve heard,” although a resident voiced concern about people possibly swept away in the current.
Two nearby residents told The Dallas Express the flood had carried away two homes. They also raised concerns about the structural integrity of the bridge over Big Sandy Drive and said they had no power or running water.
Travis County EMS reported that around 2 a.m. on July 5, first responders responded to a water rescue call in the Sandy Creek neighborhood of northwest Travis County. A family was trapped in their home by rapidly rising floodwaters, and rescue efforts were delayed due to impassable roads. Boat teams eventually accessed the area and discovered dozens of people in need of help — clinging to trees, rooftops, and power poles.
A total of 25 individuals were rescued, with 10 taken to a Family Assistance Center. Four adults were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to ATCEMS. Officials warned that more rain is expected and urged the public not to drive through barricades or flooded roads.
The City of Leander closed parks and trails on July 5 “due to severe flooding and the threat of additional flooding.”
Officials warned residents not to drive around barricades and closed several roads, including Hero Way, which had water flowing across it earlier when The Dallas Express visited the area.
Nearby, the San Gabriel River flooded areas of Georgetown, prompting evacuations.
Heavy rain since Independence Day led to severe flooding across Hill Country – especially near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County – which killed at least 24 people and sent as many as 25 girls from Camp Mystic missing, as The Dallas Express reported.
“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during a news conference.
To report missing persons in Kerr County or nearby, residents should call 830-258-1111 or email floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us. More rain is expected across the Austin area through the evening of July 5.