Memorial Day weekend flooding: How to get help

June 20--HAYS COUNTY

FEMA offices set up in San Marcos, Wimberley

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in San Marcos and Wimberley.

The San Marcos center opens Saturday at the Crossroads Building, in classrooms 17 and 18, at 501 S. LBJ Drive. The Wimberley location is at Danforth Junior High School at 200 Texan Blvd.

The centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily -- including weekends -- for area flood, storm, wind and tornado victims throughout Hays County who want to register for federal aid. Those hours may change slightly as needs are met. The centers will be in operation until the need appears to have dissipated.

TAYLOR

T-shirt sales got to flood support

Show your support for neighbors affected by the recent flooding by purchasing a limited edition Taylor Flood T-shirt.

Local businesses and others are working with the Austin Disaster Relief Network and the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance to ensure those most affected get the help they need.

The campaign starts with a $20 T-shirt, with all proceeds going directly to helping victims in Taylor. The T-shirts are on sale at Cherry Tree Creative, Frills on Fourth and Taylor Sporting Goods.

CENTRAL TEXAS

How to register for FEMA assistance

Residents of the Texas counties whose property received storm damage in the Memorial Day weekend flooding may register for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-462-7585 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The counties covered by the federal disaster declaration include Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Blanco and Caldwell.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully covered by insurance.

HAYS COUNTY

Volunteer centers open daily

If you want to assist in the recovery effort, check in at one of two volunteer resource centers, which are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In San Marcos, volunteers should go to the old fish hatchery building at 206 N. CM Allen Parkway. In Wimberley, volunteers should go to 200 Stillwater Road in the Southriver Business Park.

Volunteers are encouraged to check in there to get a wristband and to find out where their help is most needed.

In addition, the Survivor Relief Center in Wimberley is at the same location. Donated items are distributed to flood survivors Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Non-monetary donations are no longer being accepted.

AUSTIN

City sets up website for flood recovery

The city of Austin has set up a website to provide information on flood recovery at austintexas.gov/floodcenter. It includes information on safety, home repair, business recovery and volunteering. The site is also accessible from the city of Austin homepage -- austintexas.gov -- in the top banner.

Austin residents who are without Internet access can receive information by calling 311 or 512-974-2000. Those with flood-related structural damage on private or commercial property should report it to 311.

BASTROP COUNTY

Long Term Recovery Team has website

Bastrop County has reactivated its Long Term Recovery Team, which is dedicated to helping those who were uninsured or underinsured from natural and man-made disasters in Bastrop County such as the Memorial weekend flood and tornado event, as well as the September 2011 wildfires.

If you need help, contact the team and members will walk you through the process of recovery. Those wishing to help by volunteering, there are many ways to do so. Visit the team's website at bcltrt.org. The team can also be reach at (512) 925-3210, or via email at ed@bcltrt.org.

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