Four months after severe floods hit Central Texas, the Big Sandy Creek neighborhood is still recovering, and cleanup continues for many residents.
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — More than four months after devastating floods swept through Central Texas, the Big Sandy Creek neighborhood remains in recovery mode. And for many residents, the cleanup is far from over.
On Saturday morning, over 100 volunteers gathered for a community workday organized by Fund Texas Forever and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. The event aimed to support residents still grappling with flood damage, with volunteers pitching in on tasks ranging from trash removal to painting and electrical repairs.
Among those affected was Ashlee Willis, a lifelong resident who has called Big Sandy Creek home for more than 36 years. Her property, once the site of her family’s farm, has been transformed by the disaster.
“When you had to call and tell people that the farm was gone, like we had an entire community there. Just like it was like a death,” Willis said. “This is home, like we have to rebuild. There’s no other option.”
Despite the emotional toll and the extensive damage, Willis said she remains committed to restoring her home. She emphasized that while rebuilding is a priority, the cleanup process is still ongoing and will require more community support.
“It has dwindled down. I mean, there used to be hundreds and hundreds of people, you know, like, every day. And it was fantastic,” Willis said. “There’s still just so much left to be done, so much “
Willis said the community will likely need help for years to come.