“Just imagine: 10 hours a day, seven days into this, so that’s over 861,000 hours of volunteer support right here,” TDEM Chief Nim Kidd said.
KERRVILLE, Texas — During President Donald Trump’s visit to the Hill Country, a lot was said about the incredible work of the first responders.
“These local first responders are the best in the nation,” said the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Nim Kidd.
But another statistic, which Kidd called “staggering,” was the number of volunteers who have taken their time out of their days — and weeks — to assist with the flooding.
“Over 12,300 volunteers have shown up here out of love to support this community,” Kidd said. “Just imagine: 10 hours a day, seven days into this, so that’s over 861,000 hours of volunteer support right here.”
Kidd also goes on to commend Governor Abbott after he declared 21 Texas counties to the area under his disaster declaration. He also commended Trump’s immediate declaration for individual assistance and public assistance, which he says will help them rebuild and recover.
They’ve also had over 2,200 state agency response personnel assisting the local government partners, according to Kidd. That’s along with 19 other states who have sent resources.
KENS 5 have covered many stories about numerous volunteers and the great work they’ve been doing.
Volunteers across Texas help clear devastation in Ingram after catastrophic flooding
In the days following catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River, a mobile mechanic from Bandera and a crew of volunteers from across Texas are helping clear the wreckage left behind, one pile at a time.
Daniel Beedle, owner of Centerfire Services, arrived in Ingram just hours after the floodwaters receded, bringing with him heavy equipment, friends, and a mission to help his neighbors.
“We’re like five days in on cleanup from the floods out here in Ingram,” Beedle said. “We had probably 20 pieces of equipment and, and 40 people.”
Beedle and his team used skid steers, excavators, and even a six-wheel army truck to build low-water crossings and gain access to areas of land that had been completely cut off by the flood. They weren’t just clearing mud and debris, they were carefully combing through wreckage, knowing lives had been lost and some people were still unaccounted for.
Read more of Roxy Van Ruiten’s story here.
Is this yours? | Volunteer found beloved stuffed animal amongst debris from flood
17-year-old Alexis Moriarty found a little lamb whose fleece was covered in mud and leaves, and not even close to being white as snow.
Alexis, a volunteer from San Antonio, said she was searching the area between Center Point and Comfort after the deadly floods, looking for anything to salvage.
“It was heartbreaking. Whole areas looked unrecognizable. Homes, trees, and familiar spots had been washed away. Everything felt heavy and still, like the land was grieving too. Debris was scattered across the banks, and the damage to both nature and the community was overwhelming. You could feel how deeply this flood had affected everyone,” Alexis said.
Read more of Andrea Carden’s story here.
Volunteers rally at Camp CAMP to restore flood-damaged site before campers arrive
At Camp CAMP on the Guadalupe River in Center Point there was an invasion Wednesday morning.
After flood waters receded, revealing a wrecked play space on river’s edge, an army of caring volunteers arrived bright and early to restore order and safety in time for campers to arrive on Sunday.
CAMP is an acronym for Children’s Association for Maximum Potential.
They serve individuals with mild to severe medical conditions or disabilities, giving them a chance to leave their labels and limitations behind.
Read more of Sue Calberg’s story here.
How you can help
These are only a few of the stories covered by KENS 5 of the volunteers who have given their time to this tragedy.
To find out how you can help, click here.