UPDATE: A Sandy Creek family has received a life-changing gift just months after losing their home to devastating floods on July 5, 2023. The Willis family, who was left with nothing but a camp on their property, has been selected as the first recipient of a fully funded home rebuild by the nonprofit Rebuild Sandy Creek.
The floods, which struck Central Texas during the 4th of July weekend, claimed at least 135 lives, with many fatalities occurring in Kerr County. Ashlee Willis, a resident of Sandy Creek, shared the harrowing experience: “That used to be my house. It floated 10 feet in the air, well, in the water,” she recalled. The family’s emotional journey has been marked by loss and uncertainty.
“On that side of the creek, we’ve never seen flooding like this before,” Willis said. The devastation prompted local residents, including Jenee Lamberton, co-director of Rebuild Sandy Creek, to take action. “We started organizing volunteers, and that turned into us starting a nonprofit,” Lamberton explained, noting that many families lacked flood insurance.
Months later, with around 70 families still seeking assistance, the Willis family was unexpectedly chosen for the first rebuild. Lamberton and her team arrived at their campsite, where the family had been trying to find normalcy. After a brunch gathering, Willis answered the door and was handed a notice informing her that their home will be rebuilt. “It was an overwhelming moment,” she said tearfully, calling family members to share the news.
Construction is set to begin in the new year, providing the family with hope after months of despair. “It took us 7 weeks to get back here. To be back has been daunting,” Willis noted. “My faith in humanity had been previously restored through all of this, but now I may believe in miracles again.”
With plans already underway, the area is marked with Lowe’s pink flags, indicating where the new home will stand. Despite the progress for the Willis family, Rebuild Sandy Creek is still in urgent need of additional funds to support more families facing similar rebuilding challenges.
As recovery efforts continue, the emotional and physical rebuilding of Sandy Creek remains critical. The community’s resilience shines through as they work together to overcome the aftermath of the floods.
Take action: Click here to donate to Rebuild Sandy Creek and help families rebuild their lives.
