Real Estate Photographer in Lago Vista, TX

As Central Texas continues to rebuild and grow stronger following these deadly floods, a beloved Texas icon is once again lending a helping hand to Texans in need.

Mattress Mack gives back

Jim McIngvale, most commonly known as "Mattress Mack," along with Gallery Furniture, are donating hundreds of mattresses to flood victims.

When Hurricane Harvey hit, "Mattress Mack" opened his store to those who lost everything.

Now, after the deadly flooding, he’s making sure families have a place to rest their heads at night.

At Lago Vista High School, hundreds of mattresses, of all sizes, were up for grabs. More than 50 volunteers started their day at 5:30 a.m., unloading five 18-wheelers full of mattresses.

The donations came from Gallery Furniture's "Purchase With a Purpose" campaign. When customers bought a mattress, one was donated to a family in need.

Since the disaster, Mattress Mack's team has been on the ground in some of the hardest-hit areas, helping families sift through debris and listening to their stories.

What they're saying:

"The floods happened July 4th, and it was devastating, but the need goes on and on and on, and I love that a month later we’re still doing things," said volunteer, Tina Sims.

The community woke up early Saturday morning to do just that.

McIngvale says he hopes this inspires even more Texans to lend a hand.

"It's important for us to give back to the community. We’ve done that for the past 44 years, and it's important for Texans to help Texans. That's something we’ve done for 200 years, so we’re here to help Texans and there's a lot of need obviously," said McIngvale.

Myron Fonseca, with the nonprofit United Cajun Navy, says the donations are about more than just beds.

"This right here is just a great motivational thing because everything is built by morale. People might have a sad face yesterday, but today they should be walking away with a lot of smiles knowing that somebody like this is helping them get a jumpstart," said Fonseca.

For volunteer Tina Sims, the decision to help out was a no-brainer.

"I lived in Houston and I know all of the good things that Mack does there and so when I moved over here I just always stayed in touch and kept up with things. I love being a part of this. I love that he’s still giving back and helping Austin," said Sims.

"I just want to help people out and that’s all we can do. If we’re in a position to do it, we should be helping," Sims went on.

What you can do:

If you missed out and would like to help out, Gallery Furniture is also accepting donations for the flood victims.

More info can be found here: Buyone-Giveone – Gallery Furniture

The RM 1431 closure at the Cow Creek bridge is driving up commute times, residents say.

LAGO VISTA, Texas — Work is underway to rebuild the Cow Creek bridge along RM 1431, a vital connector between Lago Vista and Marble Falls that was destroyed by severe flooding on July 5.

At a news conference with Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced it was fast-tracking the reconstruction of the bridge.

“We know that that's a very significantly important bridge,” said Executive Director Marc Williams. “It's an important travel corridor between Marble Falls, Lago Vista and Cedar Park. A lot of people commute back and forth.”

Williams said TxDOT crews have been working around the clock to design the replacement. Once debris is cleared and a contractor is selected, he said construction will begin immediately. TxDOT hopes to complete the work within 60 days, offering financial incentives for early completion.

Local residents told KVUE the bridge's loss has lengthened commutes by 30 minutes to more than an hour.

"It's often if we want to go into Austin, if we have doctor's appointments for the kids and, you know, up there, then we do take that way pretty often. I know a lot of people do. It's the fastest way to get to Austin, really,” said Marble Falls resident Cami Gorham.

Although many are eager for construction to progress swiftly, Gorham said she also wants to make sure the bridge is rebuilt correctly to ensure safety and long-term durability.

“I want it done right, done safe. So I am not saying that it won't happen again because the waters were so forceful, but at least so they can take the precautions that it may not. Something can be stronger. Something can be done different. Definitely want it done right,” she said.

With the school year approaching, TxDOT officials are also working with Marble Falls ISD to ensure students living on the far side of the creek can get to school safely while construction continues.

The torrent of floodwaters that crashed through Central Texas over the weekend left an unimaginable trail of wreckage and grief: At least 75 dead along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, plus seven lives lost in Travis, two in Williamson and three in Burnet County, numbers that could continue to rise as the waters recede.

A Kerrville high school coach and a Humble ISD teacher are among the dead; a Marble Falls-area volunteer fire chief is among the missing, along with the person he was trying to rescue. Two dozen families who sent loved ones to enjoy Camp Mystic, either as campers or counselors at the Christian girls' camp in western Kerr County, will never again hold their girls or hear their laughter.

We share in the sorrow of all Central Texans who lost a piece of their world as the waters that sustain our region quickly overwhelmed it. We are grateful for the rescue crews that have whisked hundreds to safety and continue to search for the missing, even as more rainfall complicates their mission. We stand with all of our neighbors whose homes and businesses were reduced to rubble and now face the long climb back to a place resembling normalcy.

Texans, in these moments, become strong for each other.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other state and local leaders are rightly prioritizing efforts to account for every missing person and keep others out of harm’s way.

In the days and weeks ahead, however, Texans deserve a clear-eyed assessment of how such a devastating event unfolded with few warnings or evacuations in an area that Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly called “the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

Extreme weather has long been a feature of the Texas landscape, a terrain shaped by droughts and floods. The persistence of those perils, and the lives and livelihoods at stake, demand a proactive posture. Instead, almost with an air of resignation, Abbott told reporters Saturday that “ever since I’ve been governor, we’ve had weather events that were completely unpredictable, and that’s just a part of nature.”

But it’s clear this disaster wasn’t “completely unpredictable.” While forecasters underestimated the volume of rainfall that would arrive early Friday morning, the National Weather Service still issued flash flood warnings hours before the Guadalupe River swelled with floodwaters that uprooted trees, overturned cars and swept away cabins.

Kerrville resident Bud Bolton told the Express-News that he saw floodwaters carry away an RV while a family was trapped inside.

“(They were) caught inside that RV, and that RV’s floating away,” Bolton said. “And kids are screaming, and you can’t do nothing for them?”

That question should haunt all Texans, and this editorial board will press for answers. What systems should have protected people in an area known for flooding? How do we keep people — residents, vacationers, summer campers — safe from the next deluge?

For now, rescue crews are scouring the flood zones for the missing. Neighbors are reaching out with helping hands and hopeful prayers. President Donald Trump and officials in his administration have offered much-needed aid for the long recovery ahead.

Being Texas Strong means carrying each other in moments like this. It also means honing our resilience for the future by learning from the past. And in both cases, our work has just begun.

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas - Travis County officials are continuing to work together to support residents impacted by devastating flooding.

"Travis County CARES is up and running. Any donation amount will go a long way and help our friends and neighbors," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. "I encourage everyone to open up their hearts and their wallets, and chip in to support the recovery efforts."

Anyone affected by the recent floods is encouraged to report damage here.

July 15 flooding update

At this time, there are nine people dead and three more missing or unidentified in Travis County.

Recovery teams are continuing to search affected areas.

Travis County disaster relief fund

A short-term disaster relief fund has been created to help Travis County communities that were impacted by devastating flooding during the holiday weekend.

The Travis County Cares Fund will provide direct financial relief to neighbors who were hit hardest after devastating floods, such as the Sandy Creek, Cow Creek, and Northwestern Travis County communities.

Contributions to the Travis County Cares Fund will be tax-deductible and used only for relief within Travis County.

A standard 5% administrative fee will apply to donations, along with credit card processing fees, as needed.

If you would like to donate online, click here.

If you would like to send a check, here is what you'll need to do:

Please make checks payable to CTXCF or Central Texas Community Foundation, with the memo: TRAVIS COUNTY CARES - FLOOD RELIEF

Mail to:302 N. Lampasas St.Round Rock, TX 78664

The Austin Disaster Relief Network says the best way for the public to support is through monetary donations, which can be made here.

If you have a specific item you’d like to donate, fill out ADRN’s in-kind donation form on that page, and ADRN will reach out when the need arises.

Sandy Creek Bridge

A temporary low water crossing at the Sandy Creek Bridge is now open to two-way traffic.

The crossing marks the first step to restoring access to the area following the severe flooding.

Drivers are urged to use caution.

All roads that were originally closed have reopened. However, there are a few still closed. They are listed below:

A large dumpster for residents of the Sandy Creek Community is on the north side of the bridge.

The bridge is open to foot traffic.

The dumpster is intended for the disposal of daily household trash only.

Resource recovery center

The multi-agency Flood Resource Recovery Center remains open at Danielson Middle School, at 1061 Collaborative Way in Leander.

Available services include showers, hot meals, food boxes, cleaning supplies, health screenings, mental health support, and access to crisis cleanup and case management resources.

The center is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Volunteers

A new volunteer reception center will open starting Tuesday, July 15 at Plain Elementary School (LISD) at 501 S. Brook Dr. in Leander.

It will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to report to the VRC during its hours of operation.

Prior registration is not required to volunteer. However, those interested are encouraged to visit the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) website to view available volunteer opportunities and register online.

Transportation

CapMetro and Leander ISD are providing buses.

They run from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on weekdays between Round Mountain Baptist Church, Leander Park & Ride, HEB on Hero Way, and the resource center. The buses will run regularly throughout the day.

Well water users

If your water is supplied from a well, take precautions. Flooding can contaminate private wells with bacteria, chemicals, and other pollutants.

If your well has been flooded, assume the water is not safe to drink until it has been properly inspected, tested, and disinfected.

If your well has flooded, follow these steps:

For details on disinfecting your well, click here.

Debris pickup

Starting July 14, Travis County will begin picking up flood debris in certain neighborhoods.

The following roads will receive this free curbside pickup service, though the list is subject to change:

Debris must be sorted and placed separately into certain categories:

Household trash will not be accepted.

If debris is not separated into these categories, it will not be picked up.

Debris should be placed along the road at the edge of your property without blocking the road or access to property.

Questions about debris placement can be directed to .

Ban on Lake Travis

Travis County Judge Andy Brown updated his executive order that bans and prohibits all recreational use of the waterways in certain parts of Lake Travis due to hazards in the floodwaters.

As of Sunday, July 13, the ban applies to Lake Travis upstream of mile marker 36 and upstream of Sandy Creek Park. Areas of Lake Travis downstream of mile marker 36 remain open.

The Source: Information from Travis County officials