Free meals are being served at 8 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. to first responders, volunteers, and flood victims at the Ark Warehouse, 800 Industrial Blvd. in Marble Falls. Numinous Coffee Roasters and Ark of Highland Lakes organized the effort on Sunday, July 6, as the area was reeling from devastating flash flooding over the Fourth of July weekend.
“Anyone who’s hungry is welcome to come eat,” said Numinous owner Alex Payson, a longtime supporter and volunteer with Ark of Highland Lakes.
The Ark Warehouse became a clearing house for food and cleaning supplies as soon as flooding began. Volunteer muck-out teams lined up their pickups Monday morning for tarps, shovels, and wet vacs to begin the first steps in flood recovery in Burnet and Marble Falls.
Food has been donated by multiple individuals as well as H-E-B and Operation Barbecue Relief. Several organizations in Houston also have been sending food.
“We have lots of food, water, and Gatorade,” Payson said. “The biggest need right now is money.”
“We also need brooms, heavy duty and household,” said Jason Coleman, an Ark volunteer and real estate developer, who has been training muck-out teams. “And baby food and formula.”
Bring food and supply donations to the Ark Warehouse, 800 Industrial Blvd. in Marble Falls. Donations may be made through the Ark of Highland Lakes website.
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They came prepared with rubber boots, gloves, N-95 masks, and other supplies necessary to muck out flooded homes in the Highland Lakes. Around 40 men and women of all ages filled a room at the Mission Center on R Street in Marble Falls on Monday, July 7, while Jason Coleman, a volunteer with Ark of Highland Lakes, gave a brief training in Muck Out, just one of several groups that have been deployed in the wake of the Fourth of July flood.
Ark of Highland Lakes, originally called the Highland Lakes Crisis Network, formed in the wake of the October 2018 flood that swept away the RM 2900 bridge in Kingsland.
“This flood is different than the flood in 2018,” Coleman said. “It happened faster and caught so many people by surprise.”
Burnet residents along Hamilton Creek were some of the hardest hit by flash floods from torrential rains that began Thursday, July 3, and continued through the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, the Burnet and Bertram area received over 12 inches of rain July 1-5; Marble Falls received 11 inches. The area was still under a flood warning from the NWS as muck teams headed out on Monday.
“Scoop, shop vac, power wash, then scoop and shop vac again,” Coleman told volunteers.
He explained how to cut sheet rock one foot above the water line, how to safely handle fiberglass insulation, and where to put items homeowners want to keep and where to dispose of the rest.
“Respect the homeowner’s wishes,” Coleman said. “Explain what you are going to do and set expectations. This is a hard time for people. Be aware of that.”
Leaders self-selected and picked team members, with the largest group going to Hamilton Creek Apartments at 805 S. Water St. in Burnet. The job there is simple, Coleman said: Help residents pack the remains of their belongings because most of the duplex units are set for demolition.
Only about eight of the around 60 units at Hamilton Creek Manor, also at 805 S. Water St., are still liveable, according to Raynell Atkinson, who has resided in a unit near U.S. 281 for 23 years.
“I got some water on the floor, but not too much,” she said. “I’m going to sleep in my bed tonight.”
The units along Bunk Gibbs Road are all funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Many of the elderly residents are now without a place to live.
Shandra Langston of Georgetown said her parents, Carlus and Lorease Noah, 84 and 82 respectively, are now in a hotel, but she has no idea what will happen to them long term. They each have their own unit and have lived in them for more than 30 years. As the closest units to the creek, they were some of the hardest hit.
Shandra Langston of Georgetown points out the water line in mother Lorease Noah’s unit at Hamilton Creek Apartments in Burnet. Many of the units will have to be demolished, according to officials. Staff photo by Suzanne Freeman
“They lost everything,” Langston said. “My mom called me at 4 in the morning and she said, ‘Something’s flooding.’ The water was up to her waist.”
Volunteers also received training on how to deal with stressed-out residents.
“The first thing you do is meet the client, hear their needs, and pray with them,” Coleman said. “It’s sometimes hard to realize their heart is more important than their house. This is not about their stuff; it’s about them.”
Around 70 volunteers swarmed Wildflower Meadows Independent Living on CR 340A in Burnet on Sunday, July 6, to help muck out units. All residents have been temporarily moved, according to Ed Schaefer, whose daughter and son-in-law own the facility.
“I teared up when I saw all those cars,” Schaefer said. “There was nowhere to park so many people turned up to help. This community is really something.”
Residents and business owners who sustained flood damage are urged to report it through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s iSTAT, according to a media release from the city of Burnet.
“This helps Burnet County Emergency Management document the full extent of local damage and pursue state and federal recovery assistance,” reads the release.
Residents and businesses located within Burnet city limits are asked to place flood-related debris and brush at the curb. To the greatest extent possible, hazardous materials such as pesticides, paint, and appliances containing Freon should be separated from general debris. The city is working with Burnet County to establish an emergency debris site and will begin haul-off as soon as the state has approved the location.
A city of Burnet flood response webpage has been created to provide updates, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions. If you observe any issues related to the flood that you believe the city should be aware of, visit the city’s Report It webpage.
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UPDATE: The LCRA plans to open floodgates at Wirtz Dam and Starcke Dam shortly after noon Monday, July 7, to release storm runoff flowing into Lake LBJ from the Llano River. The runoff will flow from Lake LBJ into Lake Marble Falls and then into Lake Travis. Flows downstream will be fast and water levels will be higher than usual downstream of the dams. Take action to protect people and property that may be affected.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Lower Colorado River Authority is advising the public to stay off of lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, and Travis for the next several days, citing debris, fast-moving currents, and higher-than-normal bacteria levels following the Fourth of July flood.
“Safety is our top priority, and it’s not safe to be on the lakes now under the conditions we’re seeing,” said LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann in a July 7 media release. “We’ll continue to evaluate the lakes daily and will let you know when conditions improve enough for us to remove the advisory.”
The lakes will remain open, however.
The LCRA does not have floodgate operations underway at this time, but with additional rain in the Central Texas forecast, it is possible that could change later in the day. Land across the Hill County is saturated, and additional rainfall will result in more storm runoff. Over the Fourth of July weekend, LCRA had flood operations at Inks, Wirtz, Starcke, Tom Miller, and Lake Bastrop dams.
LAKE LEVELS UP
Since July 3, Lake Buchanan has risen more than 7 feet and Lake Travis more than 18 feet. Current projections show Lake Buchanan is expected to rise an additional 5-6 feet and Lake Travis 2-3 feet.
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Get more updates, road closure information, photos, and videos about flooding in the Highland Lakes on the DailyTrib.com Facebook page.
JULY 6 UPDATES
(From left) Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino, Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Ronnie Langford. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
VIDEO: Burnet County officials provided updates on the flood damage and search efforts during a media conference at the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 6. Five people are still missing, three are confirmed dead, and there have been 63 successful rescues since July 4. WATCH THE VIDEO.
The Burnet County emergency response is set to resume this morning. There are two confirmed fatalities and six people missing in the county. Burnet County first responders and aiding agencies have made over 50 rescues since the flooding began on Friday, July 4. The following are some of the confirmed closed roads in the Burnet County area: FM 1431 at Cow Creek (Travis County), FM 1174 at Cow Creek, Park Road 4 at U.S. 281, FM 243 in multiple locations, FM 963 in the 11000 Block.
Ark of Highland Lakes offers these ways to help those impacted by flooding.
Burnet County Emergency Management has confirmed that a missing firefighter is Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips. Phillips was swept away while attempting a rescue on Cow Creek, according to Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd.
Two fatalities in Burnet County have been attributed to the flooding, according to Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd.
Burnet County has declared a local state of disaster.
The Burnet County Office of Emergency Management confirms with DailyTrib.com that the Cow Creek Bridge on RR 1431 is destroyed, making the highway impassable east of Marble Falls toward Lago Vista.
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Agendas for Highland Lakes governments are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.
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The United States is celebrating its 249th birthday on Friday, July 4, and Highland Lakes government offices, post offices, and banks will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Some local businesses also might be closed or have adjusted hours, but H-E-B and Walmart stores will operate normally.
FIREWORKS
Most Highland Lakes cities ban the use of fireworks unless part of an official celebration. Granite Shoals is the sole exception, allowing fireworks within city limits on private property with permission from the owner from 1-11 p.m. July 4.
Revelers in the unincorporated areas of Burnet and Llano counties are also allowed to set off fireworks on private property as long a burn ban is not in effect. Neither county has a ban as of Thursday, July 3.
Fireworks are a longstanding celebration of U.S. independence. The first true pyrotechnics took place during the Revolutionary War in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, one year after the 13 colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.
Founding father John Adams, who went on to become the nation’s second president, wrote this to wife Abigail following the signing of the Declaration of Independence:
“(This day) ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Historians consider the reference to “illuminations” as fireworks.
Americans weren’t the only ones celebrating big events with a big bang. English monarchs routinely used fireworks during royal celebrations, such as weddings and coronations, stretching as far back as Henry VII in 1486. Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England from 1558-1603, even had her own “fire master” who routinely coordinated fireworks displays. By the 1700s, fireworks were a common sight at national commemorations across Europe.
Fireworks are far older than these celebrations. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, they were created in China sometime around 200 B.C.
The first fireworks are believed to have been more of a firecracker, made from a hollow stalk of bamboo that was thrown into a fire to create a loud “bang.”
True fireworks came later, around 600-900 A.D., with the discovery of primitive gunpowder, a blend of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. This mixture was poured into bamboo stalks or paper tubes and ignited to produce the first man-made explosives.
By the 13th and 14th centuries, fireworks had made their way to Europe from China and would soon become a regular sight at celebrations across the continent.
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A 50-acre, multi-use subdivision is likely coming to Kingsland, and developers want it to fill the role of a town square for the growing lakeside community.
Kingsland Commons is planned for the northeast corner of the RR 1431-FM 2342 intersection, just east of the bridge spanning the Colorado River where it meets Lake LBJ. The development is more than a neighborhood, with plans for a central park, a boutique hotel, retail space, childcare facilities, restaurants, and more amenities among an array of residential options from apartments to single-family homes.
The subdivision still needs final plat approval from the Burnet County Commissioners Court, but developer Gregg Miller is confident.
“It’s a real deal,” he told DailyTrib.com. “It is ready to go, we’re just getting bids together for our infrastructure.”
This map shows the general location of Kingsland Commons on the east side of Kingsland. Google Maps
Miller hopes to have all lots sold within the next one to two years and achieve final buildout within the next four years. One lot has already been taken and will be occupied by a Chicken Express, he said.
The Commissioners Court approved a preliminary plat for the subdivision in July 2024. The court will discuss a final plat approval for one of the 22 lots at its next meeting on July 8, but all lots will need final plat approval before the project is completely ready to go.
Miller, a six-year resident of Kingsland, represents Hill Country Land Development Group, which has been putting together the Kingsland Commons project for the past three years or so.
“We’re locals; I live in Kingsland. We’re not out-of-town developers coming in to change things up,” he said. “Every small town in Texas has a town square, but for whatever reason, Kingsland never got that.”
Miller is right.
Kingsland had an estimated population of about 7,246 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It has its own schools, businesses, churches, nonprofits, bars, restaurants, festivals, and long-standing history stretching back to the late 19th century but no discernible heart or town square.
“I think what’s really important is that we’re from the community and we want to build something for the community,” Miller said.
Current plans show the varied residential, commercial, recreation, and hospitality aspects of Kingsland Commons. Housing could include 80-160 apartment units, 30-60 townhomes, and 30-60 single-family homes. There is space for 14 commercial/retail projects and four restaurants. The center of the property will be dominated by a park, complete with playground, splash pad, amphitheater, and water feature, along with walking trails. A boutique hotel features heavily in the designs.
“More than just a development, Kingsland Commons is positioned to become the town square Kingsland has never had—a central gathering place where neighbors meet, stories are shared, and the pulse of the community comes to life,” reads the “vision book” for the proposed development.
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Dirt is being moved at 1409 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls, the future site of popular fast-food burger chain Wendy’s. The project tentatively came to light in January and now seems to be a certainty. According to initial estimates, the restaurant could be completed by late spring of early summer of 2026. Marble Falls previously had a Wendy’s location at the Mormon Mill-Mission Hills intersection, just off of U.S. 281. It closed in 2015. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
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A new Texas law requiring all IV treatments be administered by a licensed professional goes into effect Sept. 1, two years after Marble Falls ophthalmologist Dr. Mary Kelly Green and her nonprofit TX400 began pushing for stricter rules following the death of a woman at a medical spa.
The 2025 legislation, dubbed “Jenifer’s Law,” is named for Jenifer Cleveland, a 47-year-old mother of four from Fairfield who died at Luxe Med Spa in Wortham after receiving an improper Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) infusion from the spa’s unlicensed operator.
Jenifer’s Law requires that IV treatments be given by a licensed professional, such as a physician’s assistant or registered nurse, with proper supervision by a medical doctor.
“For Jenifer’s Law, we had known for a long time that it was probably going to take the death of a human to get the attention of society, of people, of legislators, of the media,” Dr. Green told DailyTrib.com. “We knew that this story, despite being tragic, would propel action so that this would never happen again.”
“What you’re seeing in society are these pop-up IV places where you can get an IV anywhere, from anyone,” she explained.
Cleveland received a TPN IV treatment from Luxe Med Spa owner/operator Amber Johnson, who was not licensed, certified, or officially trained to do the procedure. She was operating under the medical license of Dr. Michael Patrick Gallagher, who was reportedly over 100 miles away at the time of the treatment.
A TPN IV infusion is a mix of vitamin B complex, including ascorbic acid, cyanocobalamin, and electrolytes. The treatment is often used to provide nutrients to hospital patients by bypassing the digestive system, but it is also popular in the health-beauty-wellness industry.
“The fact that (Johnson) ordered (the IV) herself and gave it to Jenifer Cleveland is beyond absurd,” Green said. “TPN is something that we give to hospitalized patients. It has to be calculated very carefully.”
Cleveland essentially received a lethal injection from the poorly measured TPN dosage she was given at Luxe and suffered cardiac arrest, later dying at the hospital.
Her death galvanized Dr. Green, her colleagues at TX400, and several lawmakers, including the bill’s authors: state representatives Angelia Orr, Tom Oliverson, Suleman Lalani, Donna Howard, and Gary Vandeaver. The legislation also had the support of Cleveland’s family.
“It takes such a huge effort from so many people to get a bill passed,” Green said. “I think about Jenifer’s family, her children, her husband. Without their help, it probably would not have happened.”
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