• Texas flood response

Emergency Disaster Services teams setting up to assist those impacted by the devastating floods.

BY PHILIP BURN

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams in Central Texas are working around the clock to provide meals, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to communities affected by the devastating flooding that has impacted the region since the beginning of the 4 July holiday weekend.

Tragically, the death toll has risen to 82, with many more missing, including 10 girls from the Kerr County Camp Mystic summer camp. Search and rescue is ongoing as roads are steadily being cleared and the river level slowly recedes.

The walls of water that came down the Guadelupe River crested with historic levels of waterflow, causing extensive damage in the region. More rain has been forecast for Tuesday.

Teams in Kerrville County serve first responders and those impacted by the disaster.

“The Salvation Army is currently serving in the affected communities of Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville,” said Major Phil Swyers, with The Salvation Army in Kerrville. “We have three fully stocked mobile feeding units that began Saturday morning serving survivors at emergency shelters. However, when word was received that the road to Hunt was reopened, we sent the two units from San Antonio to serve impacted residents in that city which had been cut off since Friday.”

Since service began on 4 July, The Salvation Army has served 1700 meals, 290 snacks, and more than 10,000 drinks. Cleanup kits, hygiene kits, blankets and other essential items are available.

“The Kerrville mobile kitchen and disaster team has been stationed at the City West Church in Ingram providing around-the-clock support to first responders and law enforcement personnel,” said Major Swyers. “It is estimated that close to 1000 additional first responders representing many different agencies have arrived in Kerrville over the last two days. It has been a blessing for The Salvation Army to provide 24-hour support as they tirelessly work to help in our community. They have been grateful to receive a meal, drink and a word of encouragement or prayer from our team.”

In San Angelo, Salvation Army staff and volunteers served first responders and flood survivors from the mobile kitchen throughout the day. Service will continue Sunday with additional support arriving in the form of the Big Lake Rapid Response Unit and a trained EDS team from Midland.

The Salvation Army leadership in Kerrville is working closely with County and State Officials and will begin to accept in-kind donations. This is a huge logistical undertaking, and The Salvation Army will manage the receiving, organising and distribution of those supplies to impacted individuals and families in the coming days, supported by Texas EDS staff.

“Kerrville is a relatively small community with a population of only around 27,000 people. The Salvation Army has worked in this community for many years, and we are uniquely positioned to step forward and partner with the county and city in this way,” said Swyers. “However, we need the community’s continued support in the form of donations and volunteers.”

To view a Fox News report and interview with Salvation Army officer Major Phil Swyers click here