The Hays County Commissioners Court received an update Oct. 13 on the ongoing recovery efforts related to the Memorial Day weekend floods.

James Gabriel, executive director of the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, or BR3T, which was organized to facilitate the recovery efforts, said there were about 2,500 people who had applied for aid through the the Federal Emergency Management Agency by the time the agency concluded its registration process Aug. 27.

According to an assessment done by the nonprofit group World Renew, about 350 of the initial 2,500 residents of Blanco, Caldwell, Guadalupe and Hays counties still have unmet needs. Gabriel said a very early estimate indicates it will take about $7 million to address residents’ needs.

“That’s very preliminary information,” Gabriel said. “That comes from the last assessment that was done by World Renew. They actually were able to put an approximate dollar value on the still unmet needs.”

Gabriel said the BR3T is in need of volunteers. Opportunities are open to those who wish to help with on-the-ground recovery, but there is a need for volunteers to help in the administration of the organization, too, he said.

“Not just volunteering to help replace drywall at someone’s home, but for our organization I would like to emphasize [there are volunteer positions open],” Gabriel said. “Our organization needs to be strong so we can go out and meet the needs of the community.”

Furniture donations can be made at the former Hays County Justice Center, 110 E. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos. Gabriel also said there is a need for monetary donations, which can be made through the organization’s website.

The BR3T has been working with many faith-based organizations in the region, but the organization is open to volunteers of all faiths and backgrounds.

“We have a vibrant nondiscrimination policy to our volunteers,” Gabriel said. “We will take all comers to help in this effort without discrimination.”