Samaritan's Purse is responding after record-breaking floods devastated communities in the Texas Hill Country
Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers are bringing aid and comfort in Hays County, Texas, where historical flooding impacted thousands of people.
More than 12 inches of rain inundated Central Texas in a 24-hour period between May 23-24. The downpour caused the Blanco River to crest at over 41 feet early Sunday, nearly 30 feet above flood stage. The deluge eclipsed a record set in 1929 when it rose to 32 feet.
The Hays County cities of San Marcos and Wimberley suffered extensive damage.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers let homeowners impacted by the storm know that there is hope.
More than 400 homes were destroyed and over 1,000 were flooded. An estimated 1,200 people are homeless.
“Most of these homes had about 2 feet of water in them,” said Bruce Poss, the Samaritan’s Purse program manager for the response.
Staff and volunteers are working out of our base at Promiseland Church in San Marcos, helping storm victims by cleaning the mud out of flooded houses and removing waterlogged belongings, tearing out damaged sheetrock, insulation, and flooring, and spraying for mold.
Volunteers pray before the start of the work day, asking God to work through them.
We have received over 150 requests for help. Through the end of May, more than 900 volunteers had worked with us, bringing help and hope to storm victims.
“They were ready to come in, ready to help us,” said Josephine Torres, a homeowner in San Marcos. “They gave us hope. Jesus sent people to come. They want me to be a part of their family. That means so much for me.”
Josephine Torres knew that Jesus sent the volunteers to help her.
“There were many stories of God’s hand at work,” Poss said. “Thanks for your continued prayer for this community, still hurting from these floods.”
