Latest news with #Leander
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Alabama firefighters update Texas relief effort
LEANDER, TX (WKRG) — A team of fighters from Mobile, Saraland and Tuscaloosa posted one of their first updates since arriving in flood-ravaged areas of central Texas. CEO of company managing Mobile Arena indicted on federal charges A post from the Alabama Task Force One Facebook page shows several images of firefighters on the scene in the Big Sandy Creek area near Leander, Texas. Pictures show firefighters making their way across rough terrain with dogs, several downed trees, and a washed over landscape where floodwaters have receded. The post says, 'The team faces significant challenges from the terrain, heat, and humidity, but they are making considerable progress.' 1 person dead after being struck by train in Theodore: Mobile PD Members of Alabama Task Force One left Mobile Thursday and arrived in Texas Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
FEMA needs 'improvements' on flood warnings: Texas Governor Abbott
STORY: :: Texas Governor Abbott says FEMA needs 'improvements' following criticism of flood warnings :: July 14, 2025 :: Leander, Texas :: Rep. Greg Abbott, (R) Texas "So, one thing I think most state governors, most state officials, as well as the federal government, could agree upon, and that is, we needed improvements in FEMA. And it needed to be what I call right-sized so that it would be more nimble, quicker in the response. But also, understanding that it's the locals who know what is best in responding to a disaster." "But by working on the reforms that we will work with FEMA and with the presidential team on, we're going to work to find ways to streamline the process, cut through all the red tape, to ensure that even when we do that, the monetary resources that we are receiving now, they're much needed for things like having the emergency first responders or debris removal or search and rescue operations. Those will still be funded, but we will have the ability to do it a whole lot faster, a whole a lot quicker without waiting around for the federal government." Abbott's comments came after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday (July 13) defended FEMA's response to deadly floods in Texas last week, saying her agency acted swiftly and that Texas officials had praised the administration's actions. During an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Noem denied that a memo she issued in June requiring her to approve FEMA expenditures over $100,000 had caused the agency to move more slowly. President Donald Trump suggested after taking office in January that his administration would abolish FEMA, formally called the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Republican president said the agency had bungled past disasters and that federal aid could go directly to states. But in the midst of U.S. hurricane season and the aftermath of the Texas floods, Trump and his top officials have taken a softer tone, indicating the agency could be rebranded. Flash floods swept through parts of Texas Hill Country on July 4, killing at least 120 people and leaving another 160 still missing. The disaster put a renewed focus on Trump administration moves to deemphasize FEMA.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flood resource recovery center opens Thursday for Travis County flood victims
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A new resource to help flood victims in parts of northwest Travis County opens Thursday in Leander. The center will give those who are affected by recent flooding places to shower, charging stations for devices and computers. It will also have health screenings, first aid and counseling. There will also be food available. How to help local Texas communities impacted by flooding The center is located at Danielson Middle School, 1061 Collaborative Way, Leander. It is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday and then 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, including weekends. The county said there will also be a free shuttle that will pick-up and drop-off at the Round Mountain Baptist Church, 14500 Round Mountain Rd., Leander, which has been a home base for many of the rescue efforts. The center is not accepting donations or a place for volunteers to show up, according to the county. If you are interested in volunteering, the county is asking you to use and sign up on this website. Out-of-town volunteers rush in to help with Central Texas flood cleanup Information on other resources, including finding missing loved ones or information on debris pick-up, can be found online here. A full list of services offered at the center includes: Food Showers Cleaning supplies Charging stations and computers Health screenings, first aid, crisis counseling Crisis clean-up and case management Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas flooding: Leander neighborhood isolated due to broken bridge
The Brief A Leander neighborhood is feeling isolated due to a broken bridge The bridge near Cow Creek and FM 1431 was broken due to severe flooding this past weekend It sparked concerns about how long it will take to get it fixed so they can return to work LEANDER, Texas - A Leander community is feeling isolated after a main bridge broke due to severe flooding. What they're saying The death toll has climbed, as the body of a 17-year-old girl was found on Monday morning after being swept down Cow Creek near Lago Vista. The majority of the deaths in Travis County happened in the Big Sandy Creek area near Nameless Road. The community on the other side of the bridge feels trapped. "For the most part, we're just isolated right now, and until they can do something with the bridge and see what they can do and allow people to go back across it again," said Steve Bozoudes. The bridge is the only way in or out of the neighborhood in Leander, but it has become increasingly unstable. "This is the big Sandy Bridge that originally washed out the last big storm we had, probably 15 years ago. They rebuilt it," said Auburne Gallagher. "It has shifted eight inches, so we have it shut down. It's not safe to pass right now." With chunks of the bridge in the river, other pieces were cracked, crumbled, or absent. People were driving four-wheelers and ATVs across it to bring water, food, and other resources to everyone who could not leave. The crossing was limited to four people at a time on Monday, to be on the safe side. "At the moment, it's just foot traffic only across the bridge," said Sara Ashworth. "We are bringing stuff to the other side and carrying it over with us. We've only got three carts, but we're just making do." It sparked concerns about how long it will take to get it fixed so they can return to work. "My boss at work has already told me that you do what you need to do to take care of you and your family and your neighbors," said Bozoudes. "We still have bodies that haven't been found," said Gallagher. "We're just in shock and awe right now just as to what's happened," said Bozoudes. "We never expected anything like this." They were thankful for having running water again on Monday, after not being able to shower, brush their teeth, or flush their toilets for several days. "Everybody's going to have to understand that this is where we are, and we're doing the best we can, but it's hard," said Gallagher. Many of the neighbors are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support and donations they have received. "All the donation centers have been influxed, definitely don't need any clothes," said Ashworth. "We're all closed, as far as I know, in the area at the moment because of everybody's generosity, but that might change." If you would like to make a donation, click here. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘God was with us': Leander woman describes being swept away by floods, surviving in tree
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Leander woman and her family were swept away by floodwaters early Saturday morning and managed to survive by climbing a tree, the family told KXAN. Melissa Higginbotham lives in Leander, just down the street from the Travis County Emergency Services District 1 station and the Round Mountain Baptist Church. She says around midnight she noticed there was water in her front yard. 'About 2 my dad came banging on the door, 'we got to go,'' she said. SUNDAY LIVE BLOG: Rescue efforts continue in Central Texas after 'catastrophic' flash flooding Higginbotham and her daughter, plus their family pug, loaded into a car and tried to get to higher ground; but it was too late, the water had risen too quickly. They then piled into her dad's truck in an attempt to escape. 'My car floated off, we still haven't found it. And then we watched our neighbors in their double wide float past us with their whole family in the house. They fortunately hit some trees back here and stopped and made it,' Higginbotham said. She says her and her family, in the truck, then started to float as well. They hit a tree, crawled out the window of the truck and climbed up the tree. The three — Higginbotham, her dad and her daughter — stayed there for roughly two hours until the water receded some and emergency crews came. 'God was with us and God made sure we were okay,' Higginbotham said. She says much of her family lives on the street, or nearby, and the people who live on her street have known each other for a long time. They're all helping each other pick up the pieces Sunday. 'It's Leander at it's best, no two ways about it. Community supporting community,' she said. Just a few roads down, the Round Mountain Baptist Church has opened its doors to help pass out water, food, and most importantly help people get information. At the front door is a list of people who may be missing. 'While it's been devastating, it's also been awe inspiring to see the community just band together and work together to provide space for people to come,' said Katherine Waggoner, who works at the church. Waggoner said the greatest need she's seeing right now is for information, help finding people's loved ones who have not yet been seen since the floods washed through this weekend. 'People just want to know what's going on, they want to know where their loved ones are,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
