Officials in Texas have appealed for aid after flash flooding killed more than 100 people over the weekend, in one of the deadliest floods in the United States in decades.
If you want to help the rescue effort, here’s some advice from officials and groups seeking aid:
Avoid getting in the way
Officials are urging people to not go to the disaster area in central Texas for fear that volunteers could complicate the rescue effort. Dozens remained missing Monday, four days after the Guadalupe River burst its banks. They have asked people to donate money instead.
Beware of scams
Natural disasters provide ample opportunity for scammers and fraudsters who prey on people’s generosity. So if you’re looking to help, before you open your wallet or dedicate your time, make sure to do your research (sites such as Charity Navigator and GuideStar can help).
Where to donate
Here are some organizations that are looking for help:
- The Center Point Volunteer Fire Department is accepting online donations through its Venmo account. The organization briefly took it down, saying scammers were impersonating it. When donating to the fire department, it said, people should look for the username CPVFDTX. (The department also accepts checks by mail.)
- The long-established Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country launched The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which it said would support rescue and rebuilding efforts.
- The Salvation Army’s Kerrville Kroc Center asked for nonperishables, hygiene items, bleach, diapers and other items. (Donations can be dropped off at 855 Hays St. in Kerrville, Texas.)
- Texsar, a volunteer-based search and rescue organization, has deployed to the flood-hit area.
- World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides food to disaster areas, deployed to the area to bring water and food to emergency responders, and was seeking donations.
- Austin Pets Alive!, which has taken in more than 150 displaced pets from the floods, said it was most in need of monetary donations, after more than 2,000 people responded to its call for people to foster pets. It was also taking pet supplies.
- GoFundMe compiled donation pages for verified individual victims.
