A year after deadly flooding tore through the Sandy Creek community, survivors are working together to create change and advocate for their community.

“What's happened to us is already done,” flood survivor Brandy Gerstner said. “We're trying to advocate for change for the long term, for the entirety of the state, as well as going beyond just county and state levels.”

The local impact: On July 5, the Round Mountain School hosted a memorial event for the nine Sandy Creek residents who died in the flooding. On July 13, the community held a cookout at the school to honor the deceased and celebrate the volunteers who supported the community.

“What's been beautiful, though, is the community that's been built,” Gerstner’s daughter and flood survivor Ashlee Willis said. “We did not [originally] move this far out in the country to get to know our neighbors.”

Looking ahead: Beyond organizing within the community, Willis and Gerstner are looking to expand resources for others who have been affected by natural disasters.

As Liberty Hill continues to grow, several new businesses are offering a range of services to residents. Here are some business updates to keep in mind.

Liberty Hill Pool Service
The store sells chemicals and equipment for pool maintenance and upkeep. Liberty Hill Pool Service also offers equipment repair, filter cleaning and other services.

• Opened July 11

• 233 CR 214, Bldg. 233, Ste. 130, Liberty Hill

Ally Medical Emergency Room
Ally Medical Emergency Room will be opening inside the former location of the Tex-Mex restaurant Margarita’s. The emergency room will be open 24/7 and offer on-site laboratory and imaging. Appointments will not be required.

• Opening winter

• 10280 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

Nonprofits Hope House Academy, Operation Liberty Hill, Central Texas Table of Grace and Hill Country Community Ministries each received $200,000 after Williamson County commissioners approved funding at a July 14 meeting. 

The gist: Williamson County Communications Director Connie Odom said the financing for the four nonprofits is drawn from the county’s Williamson County Community Facility Fund, which accumulates 1% of the tipping fees collected at the Williamson County landfill. The requests for funding are then voted on and approved by commissioners.

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro. 

Ongoing projects

Burnet Road Mobility Program
Project: The project will feature updated traffic signals, improved crossings, bus stop improvements, trail connections, drainage improvements, shared-use paths and more on Burnet Road from White Horse Trail to US 183 (C2), Bright Verde Way to MoPac (C3) and US 183 to Bright Verde Way (C4).
Update: According to Austin Transportation and Public Works officials, all three segments are officially under construction as of early June. 

• Timeline: 2026-28
• Cost: $64 million
• Funding source: 2016 Mobility Bond

• Timeline: March 2023-early 2029
• Cost: $606 million
• Funding source: funded by Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation