Real Estate Photographer in Leander, TX

With heavy hearts, we share the news that our beloved parents, Dan 67 and Virginia “Jennie” Watts Dailey 66, of Leander TX have both passed away tragically, in the devastating Leander Flood that happened in the early morning hours of July 5th, 2025.

Jennie was born on January 30th, 1959 in Austin, Texas. Dan was Born on October 2nd, 1957 in Georgetown, Texas.

They wed on August 1st, 1977 when Jennie was pregnant with their first child (Daniel).

Together they had four children and built a family defined by resilience and affection.

Dan grew up with a fierce spirit and an unwavering commitment to family.

Known for his tough love, protective nature, and fearlessness. Dan was also nurturing, hardworking and sacrificed so much for his family (things he didn’t brag about, but never went unnoticed). Dan dedicated his career to the Leander School District, working tirelessly, in groundskeeping.

Beyond family and his work-A cowboy at heart, Dan's love of horse/bull riding, ("just one last ride," he'd always say), He loved country music but every once in a while, we’d catch him singing a catchy little tune “Big wheel keep on turnin…”, camping, hunting, fishing, a true outdoorsman he was and he found true joy in spending time with family.

Jennie has spent most of her life working with children and adults of all ages, with special needs and disabilities. From Disability Care at Hope House, to Home Health Care, to dedicating many years to driving school buses for the Leander School District. Known for her loving, kind, and empathetic spirit, Jennie touched everyone she met with gentleness and compassion.

Jennie found great joy in reading, writing poems and short stories and traveling.

Her genuine warmth and deep compassion defined her life and brought comfort to all who crossed her path. Family was her heart; she treasured every moment spent with her family.

Dan and Jennie are reunited in peace with each other; with their late son, Daniel; Dan’s parents John and Fannie; his sister Sandra; Jennie’s father, Velton and her brother, Terry.

Both remembered by their daughters,

Rosa (Mark) Shelnutt and Jessica (Jacob) Reveile, their son, Wesley (Mary) Dailey; their Daughter-In-Law, (Dana)-widow of their late son (Daniel); Dan’s sister, Diana Teneyuque; Jennie’s devoted mother, Ethel Watts; and Jennie’s siblings, Ernie (Jana) Watts and Nina (David) Warwick; their Grandchildren: Wayne, Malachi, Charity, Brianna, Tiarra, Samantha, Leah, Allison, Danny; and their extended family, who will all miss them deeply.

A memorial service will be held at “Glad Tidings” Church in Leander, TX, on Friday, July 18th, 2025. The family invites all who knew and loved them to join in remembering this couple who were deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

“She left footprints of love that no storm can erase, her warmth remains in every embrace.”

In the words that echo his spirit:

"Oh the last goodbyes', the hardest one to say, and this is where the cowboy rides away."

LEANDER, Texas - A temporary low water crossing is now open over Big Sandy Creek.

It was built by Travis County and allows residents of the Northwest Leander community to bring in heavy equipment and rebuild after the July 4th flood.

Big Sandy Creek Bridge

Gov. Abbott spoke about the heartache people are still feeling and how the weather continues to hamper response efforts in Central Texas and in Kerr County. He also spoke about how 25 different states have sent teams to Texas to help with the response

The temporary low water crossing over Big Sandy Creek in Leander got the green-light early Monday morning.

Tim Joubert said the email he got from county officials was a welcome wake-up call.

"It is what it is. We can go in and out right now. That’s a godsend. We’ve been waiting for it," said Joubert.

The loss of the one and only bridge into this community cut off about 200 homes. Colton Garner and his puppy Nova were among those taking advantage of the new crossing.

"It’s a lot better. We can actually get some supplies in and out. People can get to work or doctor's appointments. It opens up so many opportunities. I came from the church just to help volunteer, and now we can easily get up there," said Garner.

It took only three days to build the low-water crossing, but residents were upset that the planning process took longer than construction. The next big step is to determine if this bridge can be saved or if it’s a total rebuild.

"It is technically standing. We know that there’s some danger in putting significant amounts of weight on there, so once we clear the debris, our engineers will take a second look and look at the base of the bridge. See if it can be repaired and from there we will move forward," said Travis County spokesperson Hector Nieto.

The bridge decking shifted from the impact. Residents are hoping the roadway can be reset and not rebuilt.

"It doesn’t have to be a tear out. It really shouldn’t have to be. I’m not an engineer. They’re saying as well. It should be a quick pickup and slide back over and then reinforce," said Joubert.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski

The sound of chainsaws could be heard revving all around the Sandy Creek community in northwestern Travis County on Sunday afternoon. Residents were in recovery and cleanup mode after intense flooding left several roads, vehicles and homes damaged.

The neighborhood, just outside the Leander city limits, was one of the worst-hit communities during flash floods that swept through the Austin area over the weekend.

Wren Bates said floodwater from Big Sandy Creek would have completely swept away her mother’s house had it not become wedged between two large pecan trees.

“It just didn’t feel real," she said, recounting the moment she saw the damage. "It wasn’t breaking down and sobbing or anything — that was later. It was just, ‘I cannot believe that this happened.’ Because we’ve had floods through here before but they never went as high as the buildings."

Auburne Gallagher, a 25-year resident of the neighborhood, was helping lead recovery and cleanup efforts.

“Right now we need showers, we need laundry facilities — is what we need. We don’t have any of those things. We will not have any septic out here or sewer for a good two weeks because that complete facility went down with the river," she said. "We have no water out here because the water lines ... [are] gone. All wiped out.”

Round Mountain Baptist Church in Sandy Creek opened a temporary shelter for people affected by the floods. Church staff said they no longer need donations — just help spreading the word that they're open and available to help.

Pockets of heavy rain were possible across the Austin area Monday. Central Texas and the Hill Country remained under a flood watch until 7 p.m.

Devastating floods in Leander destroyed many homes and prompted continuing rescue efforts.

LEANDER, Texas — John Lewis has many memories in his childhood home along Sandy Meadow Circle.

The home, built by his mother during the late 1970's and early 1980's, brings back fond memories of his family's farming lifestyle, alongside many sheep and goats.

Now, that same home presents a picture of complete devastation, as the devastating floods that ravaged the Leander area lifted the home from its foundation.

"You're trying to take in what your memory used to be," Lewis said. "It's like I remember, [that] used to be my tree house over there. Well, a tree and everything is completely wiped, completely gone."

Lewis has seen floods happen before, but none like these.

"Never in my life has this ever happened. And you know we've been here," Lewis said. "This is close to ... the 100 year floodplain."

In an update Sunday morning, Travis County Judge Andy Brown said crews are continuing rescue efforts in the area of Nameless Road along Big Sandy Creek, as well as Cow Creek Road and FM 1431 northwest of Lago Vista.

Dozens of residents in the area were rescued Saturday after being evacuated from high water.

Now, the Round Mountain Baptist Church in Leander is offering reprieve by collecting food and water donations and helping people who have been displaced.

"From this point forward, we have decided as a community that we are going to have a plan in place for future devastations, because that's the only word for it ... devastation," Katherine Waggoner, thee lead volunteer, said.

Now, there is an effort to clean up the damage, with the understanding that families still need to be reunited and closure is still far from over.

"It's emotional, with the fact that you have grief with that, because it wasn't something you wanted to have happen," Lewis said.

Round Mountain Baptist Church will be open all night for those who need a place to go. In a press conference Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders warned that the death toll will continue to rise.