Volunteers are still needed throughout Hays County to help with recovery efforts from the Memorial Day weekend floods, officials said.
Volunteer coordinators at the volunteer reception center on CM Allen Parkway said they have seen a significant drop-off in the number of people volunteering during the first weekend after the floods compared to the second weekend.
Ken Bell, San Marcos emergency management coordinator, said although it is hard to pinpoint specific needs because the situation is constantly changing, volunteers are always welcome. Much of the work remaining involves distributing goods at the distribution center and mucking homes—which involves cutting out drywall, cleaning floors as well as moving furniture and appliances.
“We’re hurting all the time for volunteers,” Bell said. “Volunteers are desperately needed.”
Bell said governmental and nongovernmental organizations alike are beginning to transition their focus to intermediate and long-term recovery, which includes moving those affected by floods out of temporary housing and into more permanent living situations and transitioning volunteer and donation management to local organizations.
“A lot of people are still looking at the immediate needs,” Bell said. “The long-term goals are harder to get your arms around because all you see is what’s in front of you.”
The volunteer reception center in San Marcos has been located at 206 N. CM Allen Parkway, but after June 14, volunteer efforts will be coordinated at a location to be determined. The distribution center, where residents can donate or collect items, has been located at 200 Springtown Way, San Marcos. The operations of the distribution center will be transitioned to a local organization after June 14.
According to a city news release, 1,200 people have already registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for relief. Those who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so. FEMA can provide grants for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and uninsured loss, among other things.