The community is reeling in the aftermath of the deadly flood that ravaged parts of Central Texas during the Fourth of July weekend.
LEANDER, Texas — In the scorching heat, residents in the Sandy Creek neighborhood have been hauling wagons filled with supplies across the bridge near Big Sandy Creek Drive. It's their only way in and out.
The community is reeling in the aftermath of the deadly flood that ravaged parts of Central Texas during the Fourth of July weekend. As of July 10, five adults in Leander have been confirmed dead, either by officials or family members.
According to Sandy Creek resident Holli Conner, the strength and effort has come from community members. She said people have banded together and found ways to get across the bridge to get supplies and resources.
"We couldn't really ask for anything else. We have enough supplies for an army back here," Conner said. "All the people that have went through a lot of devastation are getting a lot of help."
Conner said the only gripe is that certain methods of transportation aren't allowed to cross, which has forced them to have to walk everywhere.
Travis County blocked access to vehicles on the bridge due to the damage caused by the flooding. Parts of the roadway and road signs were ripped apart and scattered.
The plan is to put in a temporary bridge as crews work on permanent repairs.
"We recognize the community's frustration with regards to the Sandy Creek Bridge, and we know that frustration comes from the Sandy Creek neighborhood," Travis County Public Information Officer Hector Nieto said. "We have met with those community members, we have been providing them resources to their community, we are working as fast as we can to provide relief for that bridge."
Kaleena Shumaker added that her family has lived in the Sandy Creek neighborhood for more than four decades and has never experienced the scale of destruction like what was left behind by this flood.
Shumaker said she has been frustrated by the lack of warning, response from officials and limited access on the bridge. She said she and other community members have been making their own pathways to try and get supplies in, but officials have stopped them.
"People can't get to us. People cannot get to these community centers and these resources right here at these tents with all these volunteers that are trying to help," Shumaker said. "We have to get to them."
Pop-up tents have been set up at the other end of the bridge, where wagons are out for people to use.
Shumaker said the terrain is difficult to cross in the path of destruction, and they've also attempted to forge their own paths through other properties.
"We got property owners' permission," Shumaker said. "We just need to create access to get to the community center, for the community center to get to us, for equipment to get back and forth."
When it comes to people trying to do things on their own, Nieto said, "We know there are a significant amount of people that want to help, but these urban search and rescue teams are the ones that are specially trained. They have these specially trained K-9 units that help them do the work."
In regard to the specific concerns residents raised, in a text message, Nieto told KVUE:
"Travis County recognizes and understands the community's frustration. Everyone at Travis County, along with our state and local partners, who is responding to the flooding emergency is working tirelessly to address the needs of affected communities. Any person who needs assistance is welcome to access resources at our newly opened resource center or our on-site point of distribution. No one will be turned away."
On Thursday, the county partnered with Leander ISD to open a resource center at the Danielson Middle School to help those affected. Health screenings and mental heath services were offered on-site by Austin Public Health, Integral Care and Ascension Seton.
Staff with H-E-B was also at the center to hand out hot meals and snacks.
Nieto said showers and a play area for children will also be available. People who visit won't need to provide personal information if they don't want to.
"We understand that this has been a very difficult time for everyone, and we want to make certain everyone is getting that help they need," Nieto said.
A shuttle service was also launched in partnership with CapMetro, which will take people from the Sandy Creek neighborhood or the Round Mountain Baptist church to the resource center and the nearby HEB. There is a sign signaling the temporary bus stop located at the entrance of the bridge.
It will run from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., every 45 minutes.