Ryan Davis (left), of Decatur, is one of 17 first responders with the Fort Worth Fire Department assisting with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of the Central Texas floods. COURTESY | FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
Flooding that has swept through Central Texas caused the death of at least 100 people as of Monday, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
In the wake of the deadly disaster, more than 400 first responders across 20-plus agencies were activated by Gov. Greg Abbott’s expanded disaster declaration. The search of the area now extends across Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis and Williamson counties, the Texas Tribune reported.
Here’s how you can help with relief efforts from home.
Decatur pilot Ramsey Armstrong is partnering with Operation Airdrop and TexasBank to deliver critical relief supplies. Armstrong’s first flight was scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Donations can be dropped off at TexasBank (1415 S FM 51 in Decatur) on Thursday. The most needed items for TexasBank and Operation Airdrop’s relief efforts include:
- Work and rubber gloves
- Contractor trash bags
- Squeegees, 5-gallon buckets
- Cleaning supplies
- Bug spray, N95 masks
- Rubber boots, hand tools, chainsaws
- Gatorade, bottles water
Due to flight constraints, all items must be lightweight and compact. Large items like brooms, rakes and mops, as well as bleach products, cannot be accepted. For full guidelines, visit operationairdrop.org.
For questions, contact TexasBank at 940-305-2928.
Lone Star Actual, a Texas-based nonprofit disaster relief organization, is also partnering with the Wise County community to provide donations for the victims in Central Texas.
The nonprofit is accepting donations at the Wise County Sheriff’s Office (200 Rook Ramsey Dr, Decatur); Bridgeport Fire Department (1409 Carpenter St, Bridgeport); Alvord City Hall (215 W Elm St, Alvord); Boyd Fire Department/Wise County ESD No. 1 (545 S Allen St, Boyd); and Rhome Fire Department (26 N School Rd, Rhome). The first load of donations is scheduled to be delivered on Thursday.
Lone Star Actual’s current needs are:
- New/unused blankets
- New/unused sleeping bags
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Canned goods
- Gatorade
- Baby needs (wipes, diapers, formula, etc.)
- Bottled bleach
- Bar soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer
- Shampoo, body wash, shower needs
- Batteries and flashlights
- Tarps
For questions, contact Gill Davis at 940-867-6237.
Several other businesses are also collecting donations for flood victims. Both By the Grace of Coffee shops are drop-off locations for Lone Star Actual. Additionally, Texas Tattoo and Company has partnered with Rancher Navy, an organization that provides disaster relief. Beyond tattoo discounts based on monetary donations to the organization, the tattoo shop is collecting the following at 1401 U.S. 287, Suite 600 in Decatur.
- Mops
- Brooms
- Clorox Bleach
- Work Gloves / Rubber Gloves / Kitchen Gloves
- Sponges / Rags
- Contractor Trash Bags
- 5-Gallon Buckets
- All Cleaning Supplies
- Bug Spray & N95 Masks
- Squeegees
- Rubber Boots
- Gatorade & Water
- Hand Tools – Shovels, Rakes, Hammers
This story may be updated. Email news@wcmessenger.com to submit donation information.
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