Community Impact | Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs

Stay informed about the latest local news in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs, including Austin City Hall headlines, Capital Metro, the local real estate market and all things Dripping Springs.

Persistent rain across Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has caused flooding and evacuations along the San Gabriel River in Georgetown. (Courtesy Gabbie Hernandez)

Relief, cleanup underway in Central Texas after floods kill at least 69 people

By Elle Bent, Darcy Sprague

Heavy rains caused flooding over the 4th of July weekend, resulting in at least 69 deaths, including four in Travis County and one in Williamson County. Locally, parts of Georgetown, Liberty Hill and Leander were severely impacted by flood water.

More Southwest Austin | Dripping Springs News

Travis County Judge Andy Brown said an estimated 11 to 13 people are missing, however that number is still unconfirmed. The area is still under a flash flood watch until 7 p.m. July 6, according to the National Weather Service. (Haley Mcleod/Community Impact)

4 confirmed deaths, unconfirmed number missing after ...

starcke dam on highland lakes at night

Updated: City of Austin closes all waterways ...

Image shows a public pool with no one in it behind a fence.

6 trending Austin-area stories: Georgetown pool updates; ...

Top Restaurant News

Via 313 serves various Detroit-style pizzas, which are rectangular pan pizzas with a thick crust. (Courtesy Champion Management)

Dining

Via 313 celebrates reopening, 10 years of ...

Bird Bird Biscuit offers a selection of biscuit sandwiches like the Firebird, a spicy fried chicken breast held within a homemade buttermilk biscuit with dill mayo, thick cut spicy sweet pickles and cilantro. (Courtesy Bird Bird Biscuit)

Dining

Austin biscuit haven Bird Bird Biscuit expands ...

Shows a teal blue tub full of crawfish

Dining

6 new restaurants in the Austin-area: barbecue, ...

Paperboy offers breakfast and lunch options. (Courtesy Likeness Studio)

Dining

Brunch spot Paperboy opens larger second location ...

The first Pluckers wings were served at a Chili Cook-off at The University of Texas at Austin. (Courtesy Pluckers Wing Bar)

Dining

Pluckers Wing Bar celebrating 30 years of ...

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Top Development News

One of the project team principals, Jordan Scott (center right), gave a speech during a grand opening ceremony for the South Austin Industry SOMA townhome community. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)

Industry SOMA affordable housing now open in South Austin

By Elisabeth Jimenez

Affordable townhome community Industry SOMA is now open and on the market, following a grand opening ceremony June 18.

Top Education News

Hays County school districts, including Hays CISD, Dripping Springs ISD and San Marcos CISD, received 2025 STAAR results June 17. (Brittany Anderson/Community Impact)

See how Hays County school districts performed against state scores on STAAR

By Elisabeth Jimenez

Texas students and school districts received results for the 2025 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test, showing mixed results for Hays County schools districts,

Top Transportation News

CapMetro

Transportation

Capital Metro marks 40 years of Central ...

Crews continue work on the Oak Hill Parkway project as eastbound SH 71 traffic shifts to elevated lanes at the Y intersection, part of TxDOT’s ongoing improvements to Hwy. 290 and SH 71. (Courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)

Transportation

SH 71 traffic shifts as Oak Hill ...

A proposed $1 billion extension of MoPac South would add express toll lanes from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane, aiming to reduce peak-hour commute times despite ongoing public scrutiny and legal challenges. (Community Impact staff)

Transportation

South MoPac toll expansion set as priority ...

Austin resident Blythe Christopher said she believes the new fully autonomous Tesla taxis are unsafe.(Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Transportation

Local concerns mount as Musk launches new ...

From left, Austin Council member Vanessa Fuentes, Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi, Whiting-Turner Contracting spokesperson Ray MacKeen and Roderick Hudson, Director of Field Offices for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection celebrate the opening of a newly improved International Arrivals area at the Austin airport. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Transportation

1st major project complete in Austin airport ...

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Top Government News

starcke dam on highland lakes at night

Updated: City of Austin closes all waterways until Monday, July 7

By Grace Dickens

The Lower Colorado River Authority issued a statement July 5 encouraging residents to stay off Lake Travis, Lake Lyndon B. Johnson and Lake Marble Falls following flooding rains throughout the Central Texas area.

Sponsored Content

Education nonprofit and advocacy organization Raise Your Hand Texas discusses what is important to know about the 89th Legislative Session and the impacts on Austin-area schools.

Austin education in focus: Unpacking the impact ...

Westlake dental office wins loyalty: Here’s why

From coffee under the oaks to pickleball ...

Landscapers installing native plants as part of Pflugerville's conservation landscaping rebate program Pflourishing Flora.

How Pflugerville slashed water use up to ...

Protecting life beneath the surface: Inside Bonner’s ...

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Top Business News

An image of the outside of the store.

Business

Factory Mattress closing all Austin locations after ...

The Red River Cultural District's Hot Summer Nights music festival returns for 2025 featuring a variety of music acts. Last year featured Night Ritualz in the lineup. (Courtesy Renee Dominguez, @renphotogs)

Business

Free music festival Hot Summer Nights to ...

Nick Sutcliffe, CEO and founder of Rush, said the club is slated to have its grand opening in 2026. (Rendering courtesy Rush)

Business

Rush, a 7-acre nature reserve and sports ...

Image shows a public pool with no one in it behind a fence.

Business

6 trending Austin-area stories: Georgetown pool updates; ...

Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self-Defense offers Seido karate and self-defense classes for all ages. (Courtesy Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self-Defense)

Business

Sun Dragon Martial Arts fosters inclusive, empowered ...

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Top Texas Legislature News

Texas Legislature

Rezoning sign

Texans will face higher bar to oppose housing development under new law

By Ben Thompson

House Bill 24, effective later this year, will raise the bar for residents to challenge zoning cases near their properties.

Top Real Estate News

Homes in the 78739 ZIP code of Southwest Austin saw a 53.57% decrease in sales in May 2025 compared to May 2024. (Courtesy Unlock MLS)

Southwest Austin, Dripping Springs sees decrease in home sales year-over-year for May

By Elle Bent

The time homes spent on the market saw little change year-over-year, averaging 43 days in May 2025 compared to 44 in May 2024.

Additional Local News

Travis County Judge Andy Brown said an estimated 11 to 13 people are missing, however that number is still unconfirmed. The area is still under a flash flood watch until 7 p.m. July 6, according to the National Weather Service. (Haley Mcleod/Community Impact)

4 confirmed deaths, unconfirmed number missing after floods impact Travis County

By Elle Bent

At least four people in Travis County died after heavy rains caused flooding over the weekend of July 4, officials said during a news conference the morning of July 6.