How to Help People Impacted by the Texas Floods

The recent flooding in Texas Hill Country is thought to be among the deadliest the U.S. has experienced in the past 100 years, according to The New York Times. As of Monday, at least 88 people have been confirmed dead, including at least 28 children, many of whom were campers at the local Camp Mystic. Searchers are desperately looking for those still missing, as weather reports warn of new flood risks near the area.

The floods began early on the morning of July 4, when the area around the Guadalupe River was full with people celebrating the holiday weekend and the area’s many overnight camps were in session. Flash floods caused the river to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring said. Many people failed to receive alerts and were caught off guard by the early-morning storm.

The number of child deaths makes the disaster even more heartbreaking. Camp Mystic, a nearly 100-year-old summer camp in Kerr County, had 750 girls enrolled at the time of the flood. Most were able to escape to higher ground, but a number of young girls were in cabins located much closer to the river. The camp has been a favorite of political families—Lyndon B. Johnson’s children and grandchildren went there, and Laura Bush was once a camp counselor. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the camp’s director Dick Eastland also died on July 4 while trying to rescue campers.

Many people are questioning whether better alert systems and evacuation plans could have saved lives. “There’s going to be a lot of finger-pointing, a lot of second-guessing, and Monday morning quarterbacking,” said Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose congressional district includes Kerr County, Texas. “There’s a lot of people saying ‘why’ and ‘how,’ and I understand that.”

If you’re looking for ways to support those affected by the floods, here are some organizations that are helping.

Serving the hard hit area of Kerr County, the fund will provide grants to nonprofits, first responders, and local government working in response, relief, and recovery.

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The Red Cross and partner organizations are providing emergency and reunification shelters. They also have volunteers providing mental health services that can be accessible by phone.

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Texas Search and Rescue is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides search and rescue efforts. They have deployed volunteers, K-9 units, and boats for a long-term search and rescue mission.

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The José Andrés-founded organization, which has provided food in disaster-hit areas like Gaza, Haiti, and Ukraine, has set up an operation in central Texas.

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The pediatric hospital system has launched a fund that will support flood victims directly, as well as programming designed to serve those who were impacted.

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The organization’s Emergency Disaster Services division is in Central Texas serving meals, distributing essential personal items, and offering emotional and spiritual care.

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