Help for the Sand Hills
Donation protected
UPDATE: As of tonight, August 30, we have completed a temporary bridge and are no longer stranded. It's only a temporary fix - emergency vehicles, including fire and ambulance, water and electric company trucks, garbage pickup, and any other large vehicles are still unable to access the subdivision. And the temporary fix is very vulnerable to any substantial amount of rain. We still need your help to build a safe and permanent structure. Thank you for the outpouring of support!
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The McElwreath Subdivision is a rural community in Red Rock, TX, in southern Bastrop County. On August 27, our bridge was destroyed by the floodwaters of Sandy Creek following Hurricane Harvey. This bridge is the only way in and out for a number of our residents, and as a result, many families are now stranded.
The concrete bridge was built by our community in 2015 after our previous bridge was badly damaged in the Memorial Day Flood. Our limited HOA funds were not sufficient to cover the bridge’s $20,000 cost, and the project was completed with residents’ direct contributions. That bridge was destroyed in the recent flooding, and the only access in and out of our neighborhood is completely impassable.
About 30 residents are currently stranded behind the bridge, including a number of elderly and disabled citizens, medical professionals, children who need to get to school, and people who are unable to get to work.
For more background, see this KXAN story
While we are currently working on a temporary solution, rebuilding a permanent bridge will be a long and costly process. Because the bridge sits on a private road, Bastrop County has not offered to provide support. Our 2015 application for FEMA funding was denied for similar reasons, and we fear that they will similarly decline to provide funding for our current project.
We are seeking financial support from anyone willing to help our community. Funds will be used to design and build a new creek crossing (and demolish the old one). Without any governmental support (which seems unlikely at this point), we don't know how we will fund the demolition, design and construction, which could cost as much as $50,000. Any contribution you can provide would be deeply appreciated by our residents. Funds will be transmitted directly to the McElwreath Subdivision Landowners Association (MSLA). I am a resident of the affected area and a Trustee of MSLA.
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The McElwreath Subdivision is a rural community in Red Rock, TX, in southern Bastrop County. On August 27, our bridge was destroyed by the floodwaters of Sandy Creek following Hurricane Harvey. This bridge is the only way in and out for a number of our residents, and as a result, many families are now stranded.
The concrete bridge was built by our community in 2015 after our previous bridge was badly damaged in the Memorial Day Flood. Our limited HOA funds were not sufficient to cover the bridge’s $20,000 cost, and the project was completed with residents’ direct contributions. That bridge was destroyed in the recent flooding, and the only access in and out of our neighborhood is completely impassable.
About 30 residents are currently stranded behind the bridge, including a number of elderly and disabled citizens, medical professionals, children who need to get to school, and people who are unable to get to work.
For more background, see this KXAN story
While we are currently working on a temporary solution, rebuilding a permanent bridge will be a long and costly process. Because the bridge sits on a private road, Bastrop County has not offered to provide support. Our 2015 application for FEMA funding was denied for similar reasons, and we fear that they will similarly decline to provide funding for our current project.
We are seeking financial support from anyone willing to help our community. Funds will be used to design and build a new creek crossing (and demolish the old one). Without any governmental support (which seems unlikely at this point), we don't know how we will fund the demolition, design and construction, which could cost as much as $50,000. Any contribution you can provide would be deeply appreciated by our residents. Funds will be transmitted directly to the McElwreath Subdivision Landowners Association (MSLA). I am a resident of the affected area and a Trustee of MSLA.
Organizer
Joe Dickson
Organizer
Bateman, TX
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