Search for Texas flood survivors intensifies
A search for Texas flood survivors intensified as Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for nearly two dozen Texas counties.
At least 70 people, including at least 21 children, have died as a result of flash flooding in Texas after the Guadalupe River north of San Antonio flowed over its banks.
The search for victims intensified June 6, as 11 children and a camp counselor remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp at the river’s edge.
The National Weather Service said Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, was inundated by as much as 15 inches of rain triggered by intense thunderstorms − half of the total the region sees in a year. The Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes, Weather.com reported.
The area is known for being especially vulnerable to floods, earning it the nickname “flash flood alley,” and it has experienced several major flood events in the past two decades.
President Donald Trump said in a statement Sunday that he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, days after the flooding swept through Texas Hill Country.
It remains unclear how many people in total were still missing in the communities along the Guadalupe, where local officials say thousands of people came from out of town to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.
Here’s how you can help.
How to help in the aftermath of flooding in Texas
The Red Cross
The Red Cross has opened shelters in affected areas as well as two reunification centers, according to a post on X.
The organization is taking donations on its website.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen, the non-profit founded by chef José Andrés, deployed to Texas on July 4.
The organization provided food to stranded campers at Camp La Junta that have since been evacuated, according to a July 4 X post.
WCK is taking donations on its website.
Kerr County Relief Fund
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has started a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
The fund will provide aid to vetted organizations in Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort that are providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance, according to the foundation.
The fund is accepting donations on its website.
Austin Pets Alive!
The Austin animal shelter reported that it has taken in over 50 animals from Kerr and Williamson counties as of July 5.
In a July 6 update, the shelter said that they are coordinating a volunteer search and rescue group to find animals along the riverbank. The shelter also said it is seeking donations to provide support to families that have lost pets, including body recovery and cremation services.
The shelter is accepting donations on its website.
GoFundMe
Crowdfunding website GoFundMe has a page for verified fundraisers connected to the flooding in Central Texas.
The page will be updated as fundraisers are verified, according to GoFundMe.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Kerrville is coordinating and accepting donations of nonperishable goods, personal hygiene items, diapers and other items while providing regular updates on its Instagram page.
The Salvation Army of Texas has also deployed a deployed a mobile kitchen and team, according to a July 5 statement.
“The community was waking to celebrate the July 4th holiday and has suddenly been faced with historic and tragic flooding,” Major Phil Swyers, of The Salvation Army in Kerrville, said in the statement. “The Salvation Army is here to help and will support those impacted by this disaster.”
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Susan Miller, Christopher Cann, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY
