How to help Texas flood victims as death toll reaches more than 80, including dozens of children

In the early-morning hours of July 4, while most people were still in their beds ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, residents of Kerr County, Texas, began fleeing for their lives. 

The county is located approximately 60 miles northwest of San Antonio and 90 miles west of Austin.

At around 4 a.m. local time, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an urgent warning of a flood watch that posed a severe threat to human life. Less than 90 minutes later, the Associated Press reports, parts of Kerrville City were seeing alarmingly high water levels. 

Soon the onslaught of rain sent waters rushing into the Guadalupe River, which flows through Kerr County and others, causing it to rise by 26 feet in under an hour, damaging homes and vehicles and leading to a staggering loss of life.

Texas flooding death toll climbs

The Kerr County, Texas, floods are among the worst that this area has experienced in nearly a century. And Kerr isn’t the only county affected. 

As of the time of this writing, at least 82 people from six counties, including Kerr, Travis, Kendall, Burnet, Williamson, and Tom Green, are confirmed to have died in the flooding, with many still missing. 

CNN reports that at least 28 children are among those who have died, including some who were attending the Camp Mystic summer camp near the Guadalupe River.

Search and recovery efforts are still underway.

How to help the Texas flood victims

It will likely be days before the final death toll is known and many months or longer until the affected areas are cleaned and rebuilt. Until then, there are several ways to help the victims of the Texas flooding, including:

• The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: This fund was set up by the Texas Hill Country Community Foundation to help the victims of the July 4 floods. Monies donated to the fund will be distributed to organizations that provide flood assistance, rescue efforts, and relief efforts. The communities supported through this fund include Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort. You can make a donation here.
• The American Red Cross of Central & South Texas: The American Red Cross is accepting donations. The Central & South Texas branch focuses on relief efforts in the area, including providing food as well as financial and travel assistance for those affected. You can donate to the American Red Cross here.
• The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is providing myriad types of relief efforts in the areas affected by the flooding, including emergency aid, food and drinks, and other critical supplies. You can donate to The Salvation Army here.
• GoFundMe verified fundraisers: GoFundMe has set up a landing page featuring fundraisers that have been verified by the platform’s Trust & Safety experts. A list of verified fundraisers for the July Texas floods can be found here.
• Kerrville Pets Alive: People aren’t the only ones affected by the flooding; animals have been, too. Kerrville Pets Alive is accepting donations that will help buy supplies for homeless pets in the area. You can make a donation here.