By Andy Sevilla.
Initial estimates of the destruction left behind in Hays County by the historic Oct. 31 flood event that dropped up to 17 inches of rain in certain areas show the devastation could cost more than $1 million in damages.
The flood damage in Hays County largely centered in Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, Uhland and Wimberley.
“Based on our damage survey with state and federal disaster relief agencies, we know that there are at least 47 households with minor damage, one destroyed and 11 affected in some way by the flood,” Hays County Emergency Management Coordinator Kharley Smith said. “We also know of four businesses with major damage.”
State and federal agencies have not yet conducted a damage survey for public property, but initial county
Assistance organizations available for Hays County flood victims: | |
•American Red Cross: Contact Terry Faglie, 1-800-928-4271, [email protected] •Barnabas Connection: Contact Harold Tannahill, 512-847-1664, [email protected] •Hays County Food Bank: Contact Jim Wagner, 512-392-8300x222, [email protected] •WIC (Women, Infants & Children): Contact Amanda Yazbek, 512-268-0003, email [email protected] (countywide service).
| •Salvation Army: •Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Contact Richard Parrish, 512-393-2120, [email protected] Provides education and information for Disaster Preparation/Recovery of crops, livestock and structures. •United Methodist Church Disaster Services: Contact Eugene Hileman, 210-557-8698, email [email protected] •Wimberley Intercommunity Network: Contact Cookie Hagemeier, [email protected] Provides assistance and connections to local organizations for services that citizens may require. |
assessments indicate more than $1 million in flood damage.
Officials came up with that initial total due to damage amounting to $300,000 for county-owned roads, $450,000 to Buda Elementary and $250,000 to Buda Fire Department.
Kyle city leaders also spent dollars on emergency repairs to roads in the overnight hours during the flood, and the Burleson Street Bridge just reopened this past Monday evening after repairs were made on that roadway. Lehman Road was also opened Monday.
County officials expect the State Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a public damage survey in the coming days, according to county spokesperson Laureen Chernow.
Private home and business owners that sustained flood damage to their properties could also benefit from state and federal help, though more information will become available after the damage survey.
“We will find it difficult to recover completely without outside assistance,” Smith said. “This was a major rain incident that caused record flooding for which no one could have planned or prepared. We are fortunate that no lives were lost in Hays County.”
On Nov. 8, Hays County Commissioners unanimously extended a declaration of local disaster with a 3-0 vote; Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones and Hays County Judge Bert Cobb were out on separate county business.
The approved declaration will allow relief and recovery efforts to continue for those affected by the flood, as the original declaration signed and approved on Nov. 4 expired on Nov. 11 per state rules.
The Texas Government Code allows local governments to renew disaster declarations as needed. The declarations are the first step in acquiring state and federal disaster aid.
