FOR TEXAS
In the early hours of July 4, a flash flood swept through an area of Hill Country, Texas, which is dotted with summer camps and small towns..
As of late Sunday afternoon the death toll was at 82, according to CNN, with the greatest number of fatalities occurring in Kerr County, where 68 people at last word are believed to be dead, according to officials, including 28 children. Approximately 40 people were missing statewide as of late Sunday.
The total continues to rise as local emergency officials across the state carry out search, rescue and recovery efforts. A breakdown of deaths per county was also shared by CNN and was as follows: 68 deaths in Kerr County 6 deaths in Travis County 3 deaths in Burnet County 2 deaths in Kendall County 2 deaths in Williamson County 1 death in Tom Green County The flooding began with a heavy downpour that sent water sheeting off the hillsides and into creeks. The creeks poured into the Guadalupe River.
A river gauge at Hunt, Texas, near the camp, showed how quickly the river flooded: Around 3 a.m. on July 4, the Guadalupe River was rising about 1 foot every 5 minutes at the gauge, National Weather Service data shows. By 4:30 a.m., it had risen more than 20 feet.
The catastrophic flooding compelled local residents Nick and Dominique Schaffer to make plans to take donations to those impacted.
“Our goal is to bring relief to the victims of the recent Texas floods,” stated N. Schaffer. “There are a lot of people who have been affected by this natural disaster, and we can’t stand by and let them suffer,” he continued.
The Schaffers plan to take a trailer load of items down later this week. Those interested in assisting with this effort may take items to Greenwood County Auto Center, located at 822 N. Oak Street; Sonic Drive-In, located at 100 W. River Street or The Eureka Herald, located at 822 E. River Street, Ste 100, all in Eureka.
Items suggested include:
• Non-perishable food items
• Cleaning supplies
• Baby wipes and diapers
• Hygiene products
•New underwear and Socks Donations are asked to be delivered to one of the three locations by Thursday, July 10, at 12 p.m.
For more information regarding the donations, contact N. Schafer at 385-4051545 or 316-393-9919.
Editor’s note: Shortly before deadline on Monday of this week, N. Schaffer was informed that donations to Kerr County were being turned away. However, an update was expected later Monday afternoon. Donations are still being accepted and will be donated to communities in need, with Kerr County first in mind.
