BY HALEY MCLEOD
Sorting out the details
In their own words
Though the counties updated their oodplain development standards in 2019—the rst time since 1961—many homes in the Sandy Creek area have been passed down for generations. Resi- dents of most homes have never had to navigate permitting regulations, leaving many homes vulnerable to today’s ooding events. Estimates for rebuilding to the updated stan- dards range from $80,000 to $130,000 just for preliminary land surveys, structural supports and foundations, resident Jenee Lambton said.
“Some families are facing years of rebuilding, but they won’t face it alone. Travis County and our partners in our community are here for the long haul.” ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE
“Move at the speed of crisis, not at the speed of bureaucracy.” ASHLEE WILLIS, SANDY CREEK RESIDENT
Federal Emergency Management Agency payouts
Of the nearly 2,000 applications submitted to FEMA for housing assistance, only 36% has been deemed eligible. <$5K $5K $25K $65K $250K $1M FEMA funding by ZIP code
Looking ahead
funds are expected for early 2026. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31. Awards from the ¢rst funding grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with recipients receiving an average of $30,000, o£cials said. Willis and other Sandy Creek residents gathered in front of the governor’s mansion Nov. 21, advocating for new state funding designations that would tap into the state’s current surplus. The movement seeks to create a $500 million Texas Forever Fund that provides long-term disaster recovery assistance. State o£cials held a special legislative session in August to address disaster response shortfalls. “We all deserve a recovery system that actually works,” Willis said. “We are demanding a fund that cuts red tape.”
Five months later, recovery continues. Travis and Williamson counties, in partnership with the Central Texas Community Foundation, have awarded roughly $3.4 million in donations to 115 residents in a ¢rst round of funding Dec. 1. County o£cials are now shifting focus to local long-term recovery groups, like the Travis County Recovery Alliance and WilCo CARES— resident initiated multiagency partnerships of nonpro¢ts, faith groups and county o£cials that address unmet needs. Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard said the county has hired a consultant to help the organization meet legal requirements, as it works to become a regional group dedicated to future disaster recovery, ¢lling a gap at both county and city levels. A second round of funding from local CARES
Williamson County
Liberty Hill
Georgetown
Leander
Round Rock
Lago Vista
Austin
Travis County
N
NOTE: SEVERAL ZIP CODES IN THE AREA WERE NOT APPLICABLE. SOURCE: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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