Travis County to Relocate Flood Recovery Center Closer to Big Sandy Creek

Travis County is relocating its Flood Recovery Resource Center to enhance support for residents in the flood-affected Big Sandy Creek region, addressing issues related to accessibility and declining attendance at the existing location. 

The center, operating in collaboration with Leander ISD from Danielson Middle School for over 12 days, has assisted approximately 230 individuals since its inception. 

During a Tuesday Commissioners Court meeting, officials recognized that attendance at the school-based location has declined as residents increasingly turn to more accessible resources at localized impact sites.

“We soon discovered that many of the resources we had for them were also accessible at the impact sites,” stated Pilar Sanchez, executive for Travis County Health and Human Services. “We’ve seen a gradual influx of individuals arriving.

As the school year approaches, officials emphasized the importance of returning the Danielson Middle School campus to Leander ISD to facilitate preparations for the upcoming fall classes. The center is officially set to close at that location on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The relocation of the resource center follows input from residents of Big Sandy Creek, who expressed that accessing the middle school was challenging, even with the available shuttle services. “It is not that we did not require your assistance; it is that you were not positioned. 

"This is where we needed you to be," stated Kalena Shoemaker, a resident of Sandy Creek. “Many of my neighbors were unable to make it, and some of the children were also absent due to the state of their homes—these kids had to relocate and stay with other family members or friends.”

Shoemaker highlighted that, although emergency supplies were crucial in the immediate aftermath, the community now requires ongoing assistance for lasting recovery. “As we move beyond the supply-and-demand phase, we are focusing on the restoration of our homes and properties,” she stated. “We need to tidy it up once more. It’s essential to ensure the safety of our loved ones and to work towards returning to our routines as soon as possible.

In light of the Danielson site closing, residents can now access flood recovery services at Round Mountain Road and the Jonestown Community Center—more convenient locations for those affected to seek help in their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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