Deadly Texas flood aid: How to donate and volunteer

HOUSTON — The deadly flooding in the Texas Hill Country has left dozens of families grieving the loss of loved ones. Many more are facing the heartbreak of missing relatives or the destruction of their homes.

As of 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Kerr County authorities confirmed that search-and-rescue teams had recovered at least 68 bodies so far, including 28 children.

In the wake of the disaster, Texans across the state are stepping up. As search and recovery efforts continue and the full scale of the damage comes into focus, we’re putting together a growing list of ways you can offer help.

If you have a missing person, email kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov with the name and description of the missing person. You can also provide photos to aid in identification. The reunification center for those waiting on word about missing persons is at Calvary Temple Church, 3000 Loop 534.

Kerr County residents looking to make sure their fellow neighbors have what they need are encouraged to drop off donations at the Kerrville Kroc Center at 855 Hayes Street, where the Salvation Army is gathering items for distribution. 

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is not operating as a shelter, only a primary donation drop-off point. It’s accepting non-perishable food items, hygiene items, bleach, brooms, shovels, trash bags, diapers, socks, baby wipes and trash bags. 

Kerrville Pets Alive! is accepting donations of pet supplies at 2102 Memorial Blvd. 

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The Alvin High School Student Council will be collecting drive-thru donations at the Alvin High School Horseshoe Drive, located at 802 S. Johnston Street.

Donations will be collected through a convenient, shaded drive-thru drop-off known as the Horseshoe Drive.

• Monday, July 7

  • 9 a.m. to noon.

  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 8

• Wednesday, July 9

• Canned foods

• Non-perishable foods

• Diapers, baby wipes, and formula

• Towels

• Clothing (all sizes)

• Pre-packaged snacks

• Bottled water

• Toiletries

• Blankets and bedding

• Cat and dog food (wet and dry)

• Any other disaster relief essentials

As part of their commitment to the FFA motto, “Living to Serve,” the Clear Brook FFA chapter is organizing a gift card drive at the CCISD West Agricultural Facility, located at 2155 W. NASA Boulevard, on Thursday, July 10, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Accepted gift cards include those for:

• Grocery stores

• Gas stations

• Major retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target, H-E-B)

• Visa/Mastercard gift cards

Humble ISD’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) department’s FFA and TAFE chapters are encouraging the public to drop off much-needed items and gift cards at two donation locations in Kingwood and Humble.

Monday, July 7, through Tuesday, July 8, from noon to 7 p.m., donors can drop off items at the North AG Barn, located at 4020 Mills Branch Drive, or the South AG Barn, located in the visitor parking lot at Turner Stadium.

Gift cards to Walmart, H-E-B, Lowe’s, Home Depot and Visa/Mastercard gift cards are highly requested.

• Cleaning Supplies:
  Bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, mops, brooms, scrub brushes, Clorox wipes, vinegar, cleaning rags, steel wool, rubber gloves (disposable and reusable), trash bags (all sizes), Clorox

• Personal Care & Health:
  Hygiene products, baby wipes, diapers, first aid items

• Paper Goods:
  Toilet paper, paper towels

• Food & Drink:
  Bottled water, Gatorade, non-perishables, dog food, cat food

• Home Essentials:
  Towels, sheets, pillows, pillowcases, plastic plates, bowls, silverware

Monday, July 7 through Wednesday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., donors can drop off critical supplies at Typhoon Texas, located at 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, parking lot and receive free waterpark tickets as a thank-you.

Donors must remain in their vehicles. 

• Hygiene products, diapers, and baby wipes

• Bottled water and snacks

• Bleach, brooms, mops, shovels

• Toilet paper and trash bags

For every $50 worth of donated supplies, guests will receive one free Typhoon Texas ticket, with a maximum of four tickets per vehicle (a value of up to $200). Tickets are available while supplies last.

If you have questions, text the donation hotline at 346-800-1158

The post, located at 1560 VFW Way, will serve as a drop-off site Tuesday, July 8, through Thursday, July 10, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Non-perishable food

• Hygiene items

• Bleach

• Brooms

• Shovels

• Trash bags

• Diapers

• Socks

• Baby wipes

All items will be delivered on Friday, July 11.

GoFundMe has launched a page dedicated to verified flood fundraisers and nonprofits providing support.

Online monetary donations can be made at:

Kerr County officials said on social media that while they appreciate individuals’ offers to help search the flood area for victims, they are asking the public not to come to do so their own. 

Leaders of state agencies said Friday night that those who come to Kerrville from outside the community and with no personal ties to the tragedy have at times impeded the organized response and search effort. City officials are asking that people “not conduct private searches” on the ground at this time. 

Instead, those who may want to volunteer are asked to register with the local Salvation Army. That number is (830) 465-4797.