Shelters established, supplies donated for those in need
Tony, Megan, and Elijah Flores live in River Oaks in Kingsland and were evacuated by FEMA at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. They live near the collapsed 2900 bridge. They spent Tuesday at the Kingsland Community Center, where a shelter was established.
By Savanna Gregg
Staff Writer
The Highlander
As rains began to slow and waters from Tuesday's flood recede from many homes in Burnet and Llano Counties, the need for shelter and supplies for displaced residents and first responders continues to grow.
On Wednesday, the City of Marble Falls issued a press release concerning donations for victims of the flooding. As of Thursday, the Central Collection Point for volunteers, clean-up crews, and individuals wanting to or requiring help with clean-up was designated as the Marble Falls First Baptist Church, 901 La Ventana. FBC is also a shelter location. For more information, call the church at 830-693-4381.
Central Collection points for supplies are First United Methodist Church, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive, Marble Falls, Granite Shoals First Baptist Church, 505 S. Phillips Ranch Road, and The Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge Road.
The collection point for water and Gatorade for victims and first responders is the Lakeshores Church Parking Lot, 700 US 281, Marble Falls.
The only supplies being accepted at the other collection points are bottled water and Gatorade, cleaning supplies such as gloves, bleach and other bleach-based cleaners, laundry soap, utility rags, paper towels, wipes, and hand sanitizer, tools including shovels, rakes, wheel barrows, large fans, work gloves, buckets, and sorting bins, commercial size garbage bags, and gift cards for home goods stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and H-E-B. The press release asks that no used clothing or furniture is donated.
An online Amazon wishlist with information regarding donations for flood relief can also be located at a.co/fvATT7V.
Burnet CISD stated on social media Friday morning that individuals in the school district who would like to donate supplies to families in need and are unable to transport them to the designated areas are asked to bring them to the BCISD Central Office, 208 E. Brier St., Burnet. From there, BCISD employees will transport supplies to the Collection Points.
Donations may also be dropped off at Lowe's Market, 104 West Young Street, Llano.
Many organizations and individuals stepped up to offer aid of all sorts, and families and pets were given refuge while they waited out the storm; many remain displaced due to floodwaters rendering their homes uninhabitable.
Shelters were established in different areas throughout Burnet and Llano Counties, including the Kingsland Community Center, First Baptist Church Marble Falls, The Church at Horseshoe Bay, Meadowlakes City Hall, Burnet Community Center, Cottonwood Shores Civic Center, and First Baptist Church Granite Shoals.
As of Friday, Oct. 19, the Kingsland Community Center became the housing facility solely for individuals participating in relief efforts, as the evacuees who seeked shelter Tuesday and Wednesday moved elsewhere or were able to return home to begin cleaning up. The Hill Country Auxiliary is currently running operations at the center, providing three meals a day for residents cleaning up their properties and volunteers helping with the relief efforts to return and replenish themselves.
"The auxiliary is feeding about 50 to 75 people per meal," Kingsland Community Center office manager Keri Lipsey said. "There are still a lot of families needing a warm meal."
According to Lipsey, 25 members of the National Guard are now staying in the center as they help the Kingsland community get back on its feet, and supplies are available at the facility for individuals in need of them.
Lipsey also said the Salvation Army will be bringing a laundry trailer and portable showers to the Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 20, available to families and volunteers.
A Multi Agency Resource Center is scheduled to be established at the Kingsland Community Center on next Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., from which residents may receive supplies and assistance from the agencies setting up there.
"People need to know this stuff is available," Lipsey said. "The help is here."
The Llano Chamber of Commerce is one of the organizations facilitating monetary donations for those affected by the flood. Individuals interested in donating online may visit squareup.com/store/LlanoChamberofCommerce, or call 325-247-5354 to submit a donation via credit card. The Chamber is also accepting donations at their location, 100 Train Station Drive, Llano. Make checks payable to “Llano Chamber” and insert “Llano Flood” in the memo section.
Marble Falls ISD also stepped in to collect monetary donations for students and educators affected by the floods; online donations are accepted at marblefallsef.org/flood-relief/
Farmers Insurance is accepting donations of water, cleaning supplies, and bug spray at all Marble Falls offices, and will assist in efforts to clean up areas affected by the flood at M&M Donut Shop in Kingsland on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Wednesday, Catholic Charities of Central Texas shared their disaster response hotline with Burnet and Llano County residents needing short- and long-term assistance in the aftermath of the flood.
“Last year, we assisted 3,809 individuals impacted by disasters and are currently rebuilding 193 homes across Central Texas,” said Executive Director Sara Ramirez in the release. “We are here to walk alongside individuals and families after a disaster because the process is a marathon and longer than most expect.”
The agency has extended support to victims of the flooding in La Grange from Hurricane Harvey and continues to assist individuals in Hays County from the 2015 San Marcos floods and residents in Bastrop County affected by the 2012 wildfires.
Those in need of assistance are asked to call 512-766-7111 or email christine-reyes-paiz@ccctx.org.
Individuals who would like to contribute to the recovery efforts may drop off or mail financial donations to the main office, 1625 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754 or make them online at ccctx.org.
Those who would like to volunteer through the CCCTX may call the main office at 512-651-6100 or email claire-bordelon@ccctx.org.
To stay updated on supply donation lists, collection points, and volunteer efforts, tune into our website, highlandernews.com and Facebook page.
