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Guadalupe River flood: How to help and how to find help

Search teams continue searching for flood victims near Camp Mystic, in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County on July 7, 2025.
Sergio Flores
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TPR
Supplies for relief efforts

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Editor's note: TPR's special coverage of the floods is now centralized in a special blog from The Texas Newsroom.

Dozens of adults and children have died in the Guadalupe River floods. Survivors are trying rebuild their lives. People from throughout the region, the state and the nation have tried to assist them. Here is some guidance for both people who need help and those who want to help.


What does the Kerrville community need?

The City of Kerrville said it has a process to deal with volunteers eager to assist with flood recovery efforts.

The Texas Department of Emergency Management is set up at Tivy Antler Stadium at 1310 Sydney Baker St. in Kerrville to register and check in volunteers.

All volunteers must register in advance at tcr.communityos.org. When they arrive at the auditorium, they'll undergo a safety briefing and sign waivers before they're assigned to do anything.

Officials say this organized effort will ensure a safe and effective response to the disaster.

1. Volunteers and In-Kind Donations
The following sites are accepting volunteers and material donations:

Salvation Army Kerrville
855 Hayes St., Kerrville, TX 78028
Phone: 830-465-4797
Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Monetary Donations
Monetary contributions may be made to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

  • By mail:
    Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
    241 Earl Garrett St., Kerrville, TX 78028
    (Checks should be made payable to Kerr County Flood Relief Fund)

3. Missing Persons
Individuals searching for missing loved ones are urged to contact the Emergency Operations Center

  • Phone: 830-258-1111
  • Email: kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov
  • Include the person’s name, date of birth, gender, eye color, hair color, a recent photo and last known location.

4. Shelter and Displacement Assistance
Shelters are available for residents whose homes have been destroyed or who are currently displaced

  • First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 257-0800
  • Calvary Temple Church, 3000 Loop 534, Kerrville – available for family support of the missing only.

5. Other Donations and Support
Donations of services and equipment can be coordinated through https://tcr.communityos.org/ including:

  • Law enforcement resources (officers, K-9 units)
  • Heavy equipment (such as bulldozers)
  • Communications support (Wi-Fi boosters, satellite phones, etc.)

Airports helping relief efforts

The San Antonio International and Stinson Municipal Airports have teamed up for a flood relief initiative called SAT Cares.

SAT is the aviation abbreviation for the city.

The San Antonio Food Bank has also placed large, red barrels in the terminals to be filled with the most wanted food items for flood relief efforts: peanut butter, cereal, tuna, beans, rice, soups, canned meats, and canned pet and baby food.

The airport accepts donations on Thursday, July 24, Friday, July 25, Thursday, July 31, and Friday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

San Antonio Food Bank

Since July 5, the San Antonio Food Bank has provided food, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies to Kerrville as part of its flood relief efforts.

The Food Bank estimated that monetary donations in July were roughly double what they usually are.

Michael Guerra, the Food Bank's chief philanthropic officer, said that partnerships with Kerrville area non-profits are crucial its relief efforts.

“There's partners like Goodwill and Salvation Army," he explained. "So there's a lot of coordination that has to happen. And so the first days of response really are assessing, learning, listening and trying to avoid what could be the second disaster, and that's the wrong items donated in the wrong amount at the wrong time.”

The Food Bank estimated it could take a year to fully respond to the crisis.

To help, visit the Food Bank website to learn how to help.

Courtesy image
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San Antonio Food Bank

Financial assistance from Kerrville Chamber of Commerce

In a statement, the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce more information about financial assistance for people and businesses impacted by the Guadalupe River flood.

  • Business grant: The Kerrville Chamber of Commerce offers a grant, no repayment required, for $2,500. If you own a business or know a business that was directly impacted by the flood, please make sure they have applied for the funds. More information here.
  • Vetted funding: Lift Fund connects people with a funding source that has been vetted by community bankers in Kerrville. They have two funding options. First option is for a $10,000 grant or the second option is for up to a $50,000 loan that is interest free with a 36-to-54-month repayment option. More information here.
  • SBA disaster assistance: The Small Business Administration offers assistance too. More information here.
Several benefit concerts are planned in the coming weeks to gather donations to help communities struggling to recover from the Guadalupe River floods.

Texas offers statewide crisis support line

Gov. Greg Abbott said the State of Texas offers a statewide crisis support line for residents affected by the recent catastrophic flooding.

The Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line is now available around the clock at no cost to survivors, families, and first responders. The hotline can be reached at 833-812-2480.

The service provides professional crisis counseling, emotional support, and assistance with disaster recovery options.

More information on mental health resources can be found at hhs.texas.gov.


Bexar County prioritizes needs

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said that non-perishable items are no longer needed in Kerr County as much as before. So he encouraged everyone in Bexar County to donate money. Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark has started a gift-card program. Her office will collect the cards and distribute them "to deserving organizations and individuals."

Other options for monetary donations include:

Maranatha Christian Center has become a donation center and a safe space for Kerrville's Hispanic and immigrant communities at a time when an increased presence of law enforcement has put many on edge.


What are the other ways victims are getting help?

The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce recently shared more resources for people and businesses affected by the floods. Review its list of links through the Facebook post below.

Other assistance

  • Emergency housing: Airbnb has partnered with the group All Hands and Hearts to provide temporary housing for first responders and people whose loved ones are still missing. Those in need of housing can write to texasflood@allhandsandhearts.org.
  • Employment: Workforce Solutions Alamo said it would extend the hours at its Kerrville Career Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to help people in the affected by the floods. It would offer wifi access, guidance on unemployment benefits, assistance for childcare providers, and job search and job placement services, among other services. More information here.
  • Toyota: Toyota Motor North America said that it would also offer payment relief to affected customers. More information was available at Toyota Financial Services at 800-874-8822 or at its website. Lexus Financial Services customers can call 800-874-7050 or check its website.
  • The NBA: The San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and the NBA Players Association provided more than $2 million to support immediate and long-term relief to those most impacted.
  • Medical equipment: Project Mend, which restores medical equipment for reuse, provided wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, walkers and rollators to people affected by the floods. Find more information on its website or call 210-538-6136.
  • Spina bifida needs: Spina Bifida Texas said it has items ready for families in need of incontinence supplies. Email office@sbtx.org to pick up supplies or have them delivered to you. For people who'd like to volunteer to deliver supplies, they may use the same email address. More information here.
  • Autism: The Autism Society of Texas said that it is "is available to assist with autism-related help, guidance, support and resources including therapy referrals and grief resources at support@texasautismsociety.org or 512-479-4199. Services in English & Spanish available." More information here.
  • Fundraiser for disabled: The Austin group Rolling with the Homies Social Support Group Has started a GoFundMe for people with disabilities who were affected by the floods. Learn more here.
Two Texas companies loved by Texans return the love to flood victims.


Can people donate blood?

Donating blood is a simple act that’s always in demand — especially in emergency situations. View locations and schedules here.


How is the federal government helping?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that students and renters whose homes and property were damaged in the Guadalupe River floods can apply for federal assistance once they have applied an insurance claim.

Additional assistance that covers anything insurance won't includes one or two months of rent for temporary housing, funds to repair or replace appliances, furniture, textbooks, or school supplies, and funds to repair job related equipment for anyone who is self-employed.

Financial assistance may also be available to replace vehicles or to pay for moving expenses, child care or health care.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 4. The fastest way to apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. More information is available here.

The tips include how to replace certificates, driver licenses, Social Security cards, Medicare cards, permanent residency cards, passports, federal tax returns, and military records.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that a 90-day foreclosure moratorium on Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured single family mortgages in Kerr County was in effect as of the Trump administration's disaster declaration date.

HUD explained in a statement that there "are more than 900 FHA-insured mortgages in the Kerr County Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Area (PDMDA). HUD is working with mortgage servicers and others to assess the extent of the damage and destruction to properties with FHA-insured mortgages in the designated area."

The moratorium will prevent mortgage services from taking any foreclosure action on houses in this category. More guidance on next steps was available here.

Also, homeowners, renters and eligible non-residents impacted by the severe storms and flooding in Kerr, Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties can apply for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The disaster recovery center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at First Baptist Church, 625 Washington St. in Kerrville.

Claims should first be filed with insurance companies. Federal funding is available for those whose policies don't cover all damages.

Survivors may also apply for assistance through FEMA's website, disasterAssistance.gov, which is the fastest method, or by downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

The floods killed more than 120 people, including at least 36 children. Pediatric psychologist Stevie Puckett-Perez said adults need to support their kids through processing their grief.
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