By Jennifer Stanko
Kyle officials need claims from the recent flood to qualify for state financial aid, city officials said recently.
The city of Kyle on Nov. 4 provided an update on the city’s efforts to assist with recovery following the Oct. 30 flood that inundated parts of the city.
But with a minimum amount of damage necessary to qualify for state or financial aid, City Manager Scott Sellers, along with officials from surrounding cities and Hays County, are collecting claims in order to meet the threshold for assistance.
Sellers presented the progress of last week’s flood and direction of the cleanup during the city council meeting.
According to Sellers’ report, the total cost of damage must total at least $34.7 million in order to qualify for state or federal assistance.
Sellers said if this amount of damage is not met, the possibility of reimbursement is unlikely.
The monetary damage in Kyle, according to Sellers, did not reach this amount.
He said, however, cities and counties surrounding Kyle are working collectively to submit all of the claims to reach the minimum disaster amount to qualify for financial and manpower assistance.
The update came after torrential downpours on Oct. 30 dropped 17 inches of rain over a 24-hour period in Kyle and the surrounding area. The entire area received 11 to 12 inches of rain between 5:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. that morning.
Sellers said the city warned residents via the Code Red System to stay inside and forgo travel due to the severe flooding and tornado warning that took place.
He also thanked city workers for “mobilizing very quickly” to assist with evacuations, directing traffic, staffing emergency shelters and removing debris.
Major cleanup of damaged areas began on Oct. 31. In addition, Flood Damage Assessment Teams started their task of documenting and collecting reports of flood damage.
Some roadways had been washed away, and many others suffered impairment. Bebee Road and Windy Hill Road were some of the more severely damaged roads. Sellers said most roadways have been reopened, though some are still completely underwater.
In addition, the city provided residents extra dumpsters for debris in the more severely devastated areas. Kyle Mayor Todd Webster also signed a Disaster Declaration, which began the initial stages of the FEMA process.
By Nov. 1, Hays County and Texas Disposal Services placed roll-off containers around Kyle for disposal of property ruined by water, and emptied the overflowing dumpsters. Cleanup continued into Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, as the city contracted with TDS to assist with continued cleanup.
City Council and other city officials canvassed neighborhoods and assisted with the cleanup efforts.
The Hays County Flood Survivor Center opened Nov. 3 in Kyle to provide assistance, food, water, cleaning supplies and hygiene products to those adversely affected.
Sellers said the city “really tried to go above and beyond with our response to show the community that we are there for them.”
Moving forward, Sellers said rolloff containers will be left in the most devastated areas though this weekend. A volunteer resource center opened at the Buda Lions Club on Friday.
The city is also exploring several ways to prepare for the next major storm. One is to purchase radios for clearer communication to ensure a more timely response. The city also anticipates acquiring more heavy equipment for quicker clean-ups and rescues, and ensuring drainage ways are cleaned so that water levels will recede at a faster pace.
Sellers said a flood study by the city is underway to see what more can be done to prepare if another storm hits and what areas are more susceptible to flooding.
According to Sellers, results should be compiled within the next few months.
