“There’s no two people out here, no two different departments,” Casey Billing said. “It’s all one unit together out here searching for the same cause.”
TYLER, Texas — East Texans and volunteers from across the region are stepping up in a big way to support recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Hill Country.
Volunteers are helping with cleanup, search efforts and meals. Each person is playing a vital role in recovery.
“I just felt it on my heart, so I just packed it up in a matter of hours and then hit the road,” Kilgore native Daniel Mendez said. “I drove over six hours to get here, just to do what I can.”
Mendez partnered with the Cajun Navy and dropped everything to help those affected by the floods.
“Honestly, just to help bring closure, I saw the violence of the floods and everything, and other people missing their loved ones,” Mendez said.
Crews are working 10 to 12-hour shifts clearing debris and helping with search and recovery, a task which can be emotionally exhausting.
“It’s a very difficult time for everyone, especially with whoever is helping in those assists,” Casey Billing said. “It’s not something anybody wants to do, but someone has to do it.”
Billings may not be from East Texas but he is working alongside local crews, united by the same mission to help.
“The best we can do is smile and give each other a handshake and say it’s going to be OK,” Billing said.
While boots are on the ground, owner of Circle H Barbecue Corey Holland has also joined the fight by donating meals to volunteers.
“We all got a part in it,” Holland said. “I’m not good at the search and rescue, but I can keep the guys that’s doing that full, and keep their fuel tank full so they can do what they do.”
Holland and his team have nearly a thousand meals they are donating over the next few days to over 40 volunteers.
He’s been able to take the volunteers’ minds off the tragedy they’ve seen since being there and making recovery efforts.
“They’re dealing with a lot and just a smile for just a few minutes, a few moments of happiness to take away all the negative they had that day,” Holland said.
This recovery mission has become a powerful reminder that when disaster strikes, Texans show up for each other.
“There’s no two people out here, no two different departments,” Billing said. “It’s all one unit together out here searching for the same cause.”