HAMPTON ROADS — On July 4, a flash flood along the Guadalupe River overwhelmed the Texas hill country region of Kerr County. The river surged to almost 30 feet in under an hour, leading to a major rush of water. At the heart of the storm was Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls.
In the aftermath, 27 campers and counselors died, some campers as young as eight. The camp’s director also died while helping to evacuate other campers. Many others currently remain missing.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was personally touched by the flooding response when his wife, first lady Suzanne Youngkin, and other members of his family were stranded at a property near the Guadalupe River as the flooding began. Once his family was safe, the governor traveled to Texas to meet with and personally thank the first responders who saved his family.
“Our hearts go out to the families and communities in Texas who have been devastated by these historic floods,” said Youngkin. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Texas, and we are committed to offering any and all support requested during this critical time.”
Youngkin also mobilized two of the Virginia Type III Swift Water Rescue Teams to assist in the recovery efforts.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears also hosted a prayer call on July 7. Earle-Sears, along with religious leaders, prayed for the victims and those still missing.
“My heart aches for Texas and for the first responders, those who have lost their lives, those who are still missing, those who have lost family and friends, and those who have lost all of their earthly possessions,” said Earle-Sears. “Parents should not have to bury their children. I know that pain, and I don’t wish that devastation on anyone.”
In light of the flooding events, many organizations are stepping up to help those affected by the tragedy:
- The Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country has established the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund that will support various nonprofit organizations, first responders, and local governments in response to flooding relief and recovery efforts.
- Convoy of Hope is providing immediate relief to those impacted through its Crisis Relief Fund.
- Embrace Relief is working to raise money to assist local authorities to provide urgent assistance to victims.
- Kerrville Pets Alive is actively working to reunite pets that were separated from their owners during the flooding event. The group is in need of volunteers, supplies and donations.
- Mercy Chefs has deployed a team of chefs to provide meals to first responders and volunteers working in the search and rescue efforts.
- Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is the official volunteer coordinator for response to the area. The group is accepting donations to support the volunteers, first responders, and those impacted by the devastation.
- SPCA of Texas is taking animals in from Kerrville to allow space to care for pets from the hardest hit areas.
- Texans on Mission has deployed chaplains to the area. The organization is also collecting monetary donations for victims through its website.
- TEXSAR has deployed swiftwater rescue teams, search dogs, boats, and drones to Hill Country. The organization is accepting monetary donations through its website.
This list will be updated. Organizations interested in having their donation efforts listed should email info@wydaily.com.