At least 81 people, including at least 28 children, have died as a result of flash flooding in Texas after the Guadalupe River north of San Antonio flowed over its banks,
Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp at the river’s edge, confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors died in the floods, according to a statement on its website. It was not said how many were children. Searchers are still looking for 10 missing children and a camp counselor.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” read a statement on the Camp Mystic website. “We are praying for them constantly.”
The number of missing people is expected to be higher, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, as thousands were in the Texas Hill Country celebrating Independence Day weekend when the floods broke out in the early morning on July 4. More expected storms continue to “pose life-threatening danger,” Abbott said.
The Guadalupe River surged over 26 feet in less than an hour and Kerr County in Texas Hill Country was inundated by as much as 15 inches of rain triggered by intense thunderstorms, weather experts said.
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.
Here’s how you can help.
How to help in the aftermath of flooding in Texas
Do not go there.
Officials have urged people to avoid the area and let professional rescue teams and first responders work, according to KBTX.com. The area remains dangerous and the presence of untrained responders, personal drones or unauthorized watercraft may obstruct their efforts and even create more people needing to be rescued. Anyone wishing to volunteer can call 830-465-4797 or go to Texas Community Recovery.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of ways to help from a distance.
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 to work with local partners and provide food. Chefs have already helped feed stranded campers at Camp La Junta (now evacuated), a flooded RV camp and firefighters and first responders in Hunt, Texas, according to X posts.
WCK is taking donations on its website.
More food assistance
Mercy Chefs: Portsmouth, Virginia organization that set up in Kerrville to feed first responders and people in the community.
Operation BBQ Relief: The Kansas City, Missouri-based organization said it has deployed to Kerrville to help feed people. They are taking donations on their site and said that $25 provides four hot meals to families and first responders
GoFundMe
Crowdfunding website GoFundMe has a special page for verified fundraisers connected to the flooding in Central Texas. These GoFundMe accounts — 22 as of the morning of July 7 — have been verified by GoFundMe to be legitimate.
The page will be updated as more fundraisers are verified, according to GoFundMe.
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 150 animals from flood affected areas and shelters in Kerr and Williamson counties as of July 6.
The shelter said that they are continuing 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. They are working with Kerrville Pets Alive, which is also accepting donations through @KerrvillePetsAlive on Venmo.
More local donation sites
Cross Kingdom Church: The Kerrville church has started a relief fund for people impacted by the floods. Donations can be made through the website (include “relief fund” in the description), via @crosskingdom77 on Venmo or Cross Kingdom Ministries on PayPal.
Kerrville Area Rebuilding and Recovery Fund: The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce established a Fund to provide “immediate and long-term support for affected businesses for repairs, facade improvements and new signage, utility bill payments and gap funding.” Donations can be made through their website.
Southern Oaks Church: Southern Oaks Church in Kerrville is organizing a supply drive to help people directly impacted. Locals can drop off hygiene kits, baby and child essentials, clothing, food and nutrition, comfort and coping materials and more. Anyone can donate to its online form here, select “River Flood Relief Fund”
TEXSAR: Austin-based emergency response nonprofit Texas Search and Rescue is asking for donations to continue its swiftwater search efforts. Donations can be made here.
United Cajun Navy: Louisiana-based disaster response team founded after Hurricane Katrina says it has mobilized to Texas. Donations can be made here, volunteers can sign up here.
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.”
Where in Texas is it flooding?
The floods swept across West and Central Texas in Texas Hill Country, starting around 4 a.m. The National Weather Service released a “flood watch” for eight Hill Country counties.
Portions of at least four cities in the Central Texas region between San Antonio and Austin took on more than 10 inches of rain during the Independence Day weekend: Liberty Hill, 20.6; Lakeway, 13.5; Kerrville, 11.9; and Leander 10.5.
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Susan Miller, Christopher Cann, Kathryn Palmer, Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Floods in Texas: How to help victims, where to send money