Search and rescue efforts entered their fifth day as first responders continued to search the Texas Hill Country for those missing as a result of last week’s deadly floods. The death toll surpassed 110 on Tuesday, and at least 161 people are still missing, a number expected to grow, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Speakers at a Tuesday afternoon press conference described many miles of devastation along the Guadalupe River, which flooded its banks into surrounding communities in central Texas.
In response to the ongoing disaster, Direct Relief has staff on the ground in Texas and is coordinating closely with local healthcare providers, emergency response agencies, and search-and-rescue groups.
Direct Relief’s initial commitment of $50,000 in emergency operating funds for volunteer search and rescue crews aims to help support continued efforts, ensuring emergency personnel have the tools they need to respond.
Through a long-term network of partnerships, Direct Relief provides both ongoing and emergency medical support to healthcare providers across the state, including in Kerr County. In the last 30 days, 36 shipments of medicines and supplies were shipped to 12 organizations in counties now under state disaster declaration. These include free and charitable clinics as well as summer camps operating in the area. Direct Relief is communicating with these organizations about needs arising since last week’s disaster.
This week, shipments continued to depart for Texas as more requests have been made known. One such request came from Hill Country Mission for Health, a free clinic that serves Kendall County, which has experienced flooding, including at least eight deaths. The free clinic requested personal care products for displaced people impacted by the floods, and those items arrived on Tuesday. Direct Relief is also working to fulfill requests from Austin Public Health for basic hygiene supplies for evacuees and displaced residents.
Requests for medical and financial support are expected to increase in the coming days as more needs become known, particularly around long-term mental health needs for first responders and those impacted directly by the floods.
