More than $36K spent in Williamson County on Hurricane Laura evacuees

Williamson County has incurred approximately $36,400 in expenses related to hotel and food services for Hurricane Laura evacuees.

The county is eligible for 100% reimbursement charged to the county budget's disaster line item, said Julie Kiley, first assistant auditor for Williamson County.

Williamson County helped to shelter 633 Hurricane Laura evacuees from the Texas and Louisiana border, as confirmed to the Williamson County Commissioners Court on Sept. 1. Local hotels provided housing for evacuees, with area restaurants providing meals to those seeking refuge.

The county is part of the Capital Area Shelter Hub Plan—a regional sheltering plan with the city of Austin and the counties of Travis, Williamson and Hays—to provide assistance for those who have been displaced by the hurricane.

Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas as a Category 4 storm early Aug. 27, forcing many residents in impacted areas to relocate to Central Texas.

Costs related to sheltering services are not expected to exceed $50,000, Kiley said. The county is still gathering receipts related to personnel and vehicle expenses.

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the county came together in a few hours' time to provide shelter and food. One hotel, Gravell said, saw its largest occupancy this year due to housing for evacuees.

“We were able to be a blessing to people who had been in need," Gravell said, adding, "It’s amazing what the people of Williamson County do.”