It’s been two months since the devastating Memorial Day floods swept through Central Texas—including Hays, Blanco, Bastrop, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson counties—and the outpouring of help from local community members has been nothing short of incredible.
According to an Austin American-Statesman article released last week, more than 400 homes were destroyed in Central Texas and 3,491 residents have registered for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.
Many local efforts were organized immediately the Tuesday morning following the floods. Volunteer groups appeared ready with cleaning supplies, and individuals and companies were knocking at UWATX’s door with open checkbooks.
In addition to the Disaster Recovery Fund we created, UWATX was the recipient of several benefits held around town to raise funds for flood victims, including ones held by Jonathan Adler Austin, ACL Live, the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association and Indian Roller. To date, local community members and businesses have contributed an incredible $85,500 and counting to our flood relief and recovery efforts!
This week, those funds will be distributed to 10 local organizations to support long-term recovery (LTR) efforts. By focusing on LTR, we will ensure these donated dollars help the people who need it most and that the funds are used most effectively.
These local organizations include:
1. Austin Disaster Relief Network: Rebuilding efforts
2. Bastrop Long Term Recovery: Rebuilding efforts
3. Blanco Regional River Recovery Group: Case management for flood victims
4. Catholic Charities: Temporary housing for flood victims
5. Community Action (Hays County Head Start): Storage rentals and beds for flood victims
6. Hays County Food Bank: Food for flood victims
7. Project Transitions: Rebuilding efforts
8. Red Cross: Rebuilding efforts
9. Southside Community Center: Rebuilding efforts
10. Travis Area Recovery Group: Rebuilding efforts
How you can help
Donate
The recovery process is far from over. Affected individuals and families have a long road ahead of them, and many do not have the dollars it will take to get back to normal. You can still show your support by giving at uwatx.org/floods and we will continue to distribute these funds appropriately.
Volunteer
Tons of volunteers swept in to help immediately after the floods—cleaning up flooded homes and clearing debris-filled yards—but help has tapered off. Recovery groups still need boots on the ground. Call 2-1-1 to learn about current flood relief volunteer opportunities or sign up at the following reception centers:
Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center
1106 College St.
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 521-3001
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
San Marcos Volunteer Reception Center
126 W. Hopkins St.
San Marcos, TX
(512) 753-2320
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Wimberley Volunteer Reception Center
200 Stillwater Dr, Suite 2
Wimberley, TX
(512) 715-4134
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
How to get help
If you were affected by the floods and storms, register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. Homeowners who need help with unmet needs can call also 2-1-1 for assistance; call specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.