Brushy Creek is an unincorporated community of about 22,500 people tucked just west of Round Rock in Williamson County. It first showed up as a census-designated place in 1990, and annexations by Austin and Round Rock have since trimmed it from 8.7 square miles to about 7. The 2020 census counted 5,713 households, and much of the area is served by the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District for water, wastewater and parks.
The community takes its name from the creek that runs along its eastern side toward Round Rock, and that creek explains a good share of local water problems. Burst supply lines, failed water heaters and roof leaks after hail account for the rest. The Restoration Job is a free referral line, not a contractor: call (888) 317-9980 and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves this part of Williamson County.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Brushy Creek. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
A 69-Mile Creek Fed From the Leander and Cedar Park Hills
The creek begins as North and South forks that merge north of Leander, picks up South Brushy Creek near Cedar Park, and then flows east for 69 miles past Round Rock and Hutto to the San Gabriel River. By the time water reaches the neighborhoods here, it has already collected runoff from a broad stretch of rapidly built-out suburbs upstream. A storm that seems moderate on a back porch can still send a fast rise down the channel if heavier rain fell to the west.
That watershed is why the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District operates and maintains 23 flood control dams, most of them around Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park and Hutto. The dams hold back peak flows, but they do not make low-lying lots immune. Properties near the creek, its side drainages and low-water crossings are the ones that see water first.
Hermine in 2010 and the Watershed's Flood Record
Tropical Storm Hermine is the clearest recent example. From September 7 to 9, 2010, a National Weather Service observer near Lake Georgetown measured 16.37 inches of rain, 14.57 of it in a single 24-hour period, and the heaviest totals fell from central Williamson County into northern Travis County. The NWS summary says the Brushy Creek watershed was severely affected: creeks flooded low-water crossings, swift-water rescues took place, shelters opened as homes took on water, and RV parks along the creek were evacuated.
The county also holds a national rainfall benchmark. In September 1921, 39.7 inches fell in 36 hours at Thrall, east of here. More recently, the floods of July 4 and 5, 2025, killed three people in Williamson County. Heavy rain events are not common every year, but they are part of the local pattern, and the ground east of the Balcones Escarpment, where the Hill Country gives way to Blackland Prairie clay, sheds water quickly once saturated.
Slab Homes, Hidden Leaks and Freeze Breaks
Homes here are largely slab-on-grade, so water from a burst pipe or overflowing washer spreads sideways under laminate, tile and carpet pad and wicks into the bottom of drywall and baseboards. Some leaks are slow rather than sudden, and they show up as slow leaks under floors or behind walls rather than a dramatic flood.
Hard freezes add another risk. During the February 2021 Texas power crisis, more than 4.5 million homes and businesses lost power, and Austin alone lost more than 325 million gallons of water to burst pipes by February 18. Attic plumbing and lines on exterior walls are the usual weak points in Central Texas houses. If a pipe splits, shut the main valve, cut power to wet rooms, and photograph everything before cleanup starts.
What a Restoration Visit Usually Looks Like Here
A provider handling water damage restoration in a Williamson County tract home will typically work through a predictable sequence:
- Find and stop the source, then extract standing water from floors and carpet.
- Take moisture readings in drywall, baseboards, cabinets and the slab edge to map how far water traveled.
- Remove saturated carpet pad and any drywall that will not dry in place; creek water is treated as contaminated, so porous materials it touched usually go.
- Set air movers and dehumidifiers for structural drying and recheck readings until materials return to normal.
- Document the work for your insurer before rebuilding begins.
Keep in mind that standard homeowners policies exclude rising water from the creek; that needs a separate flood policy.
Mold Risk After Summer Storms and Slow Leaks
Central Texas summers are hot and often humid, and a home that loses air conditioning during a storm can turn a wet wall into a mold problem within a couple of days. Hidden leaks are the bigger concern in this area: a dripping supply line inside a cabinet or a condensate drain backing up in the attic can wet materials for weeks before staining appears. A musty smell or soft drywall is worth checking with a moisture meter. For larger areas of growth, Texas requires mold assessment and remediation to follow state rules, so ask about the process before mold removal begins.
Brushy Creek Neighborhoods and Surrounding Towns
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Common Questions
Does the Brushy Creek MUD handle water leaks inside my house?
The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District provides water, wastewater and parks service and lists an after-hours line for water emergencies, which is the number to use for a problem in the public system such as a main break. Leaks on your side, including supply lines, water heaters and slab leaks, are the homeowner's responsibility. Shut off your house valve first, then contact the district if the problem appears to be in their system.
Is the creek covered by my homeowners insurance if it floods my house?
Usually not. Homeowners policies in Texas generally exclude flood, meaning water that rises from the creek or flows overland into the house. That coverage comes from a separate flood policy, such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program, which normally has a waiting period before it takes effect. Check the FEMA flood map for your address to see how your lot is rated.
How do I get flood warnings for the creek and nearby roads?
Sign up for WarnCentralTexas, the regional alert system run by the Capital Area Council of Governments that covers Williamson County. The National Weather Service office in New Braunfels issues flash flood warnings for the area. Low-water crossings flood quickly here, as they did during Hermine in 2010, so avoid driving through any water on the road.
Can drying start before my insurance adjuster comes out?
No. Most policies expect you to prevent further damage, which means stopping the leak and starting water removal promptly. Photograph and video the rooms, the source and damaged items first, keep removed materials or samples if possible, and save receipts. A restoration provider can typically record moisture readings and drying logs your adjuster can use later.