With devastating flooding across parts of Central Texas, including parts of the Austin metro over the July 4th holiday, many are asking how they can help relief efforts.
State and local officials continue to ask the public to generally avoid the affected areas and to work with organized, official groups. Volunteers may unwittingly get in the way of first responders, or get injured or lost. Drones and other aircraft are also restricted in the area.
In Travis and Williamson County, officials are urging those wanting to help relief efforts to work with the Red Cross. A hotline number is set up at 800-RED-CROSS (733-2767); people who have been impacted by the flooding, or those searching for loved ones they have been unable to reach can use that number to access local Red Cross resources.
H-E-B and Central Market locations have launched their Spirit Of Giving Fund, which will funnel 100% of contributions to flood relief across the Hill Country. Donations can be made at the register, or with your Curbside or delivery order.
For those affected by the flooding in Kerr County, the nonprofit group Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has launched a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Those funds will go to "vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance" across the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.
The Salvation Army mobile kitchen in Kerrville is providing meals and hydration to those impacted in the community. Support the ongoing work by donating at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
In Williamson County, the Central Texas Community Foundation has set up its Wilco Cares Relief Fund. You can find more details online at their website.
Austin Pets Alive has been working with Kerrville Pets Alive to get shelter pets out of the affected areas. APA is asking for donations of pet food, animal carriers, tarps, and towels to be dropped off at the Town Lake Animal Center during regular shelter hours. APA is also seeking volunteers.
Williamson County Animal Shelter has displaced animals in need of foster homes.
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is mobilizing to support flood relief efforts across Central Texas, including the metro counties and those affected in Kerr County.
TEXSAR: Raising funds for search, rescue and recovery. TEXSAR is responding to requests for support to the floods affecting Kerr County, and beyond, in Texas, deploying volunteer "ground pounders," swift water teams, boats, drone teams, K9s and whatever else requesting agencies need,
TEXSAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit first responder organization headquartered in Austin, Texas. TEXSAR serves all citizens of the State of Texas and deploys at the request of law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies. TEXSAR’s services are free to requesting agencies and are staffed by volunteers who are trained professionals in their fields.
Texas Fire Walkers are in Kerr County providing meals to those affected by the flooding and are in need of support to continue their efforts in disaster situations. Texas Fire Walkers are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable-organization that aids families displaced by residential fire, supports First Responder incidents and provides hot meals to communities effected by natural disasters across Texas.
The United Cajun Navy, a 501(c)(3) based out of Baton Rouge is on the ground in Central Texas, assisting with rescues, supply deliveries and recovery support. You can donate to their organization to help them in these efforts.
Mercy Chefs is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing chef-prepared meals to first responders and volunteers; they have deployed a team to Central Texas to provide hot meals to crews working search and rescue, recovery, and more.
This story will be updated with additional resources as they become available.
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