Burnet donation drive benefits Wimberley flood victims
Families that lost loved ones and survivors attempt to recover in the aftermath of Memorial Day weekend flooding, which devastated the Wimberley area. The Burnet Chamber of Commerce is collecting donations through June 4 to deliver to those in need in Hays County. Courtesy photo
CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER
BURNET — Residents are reaching out to Hays County flood victims with a donation drive in the wake of a string of severe storms since Memorial Day weekend.
Officials reported as many as eight confirmed fatalities with three people still missing in Hays County after the flood event, which was worsened during several days of thunderstorms.
Heavy runoff flooded the Blanco River, streams, creeks and low-water crossings, washing away vehicles, homes and other structures and leaving hundreds of residents displaced and sifting through damaged property.
In the days that followed, the National Weather Service reported tornadoes and high-wind damage in Blanco and Hays counties.
To help in the recovery effort, the Burnet Chamber of Commerce has launched a collection campaign to deliver goods to the flood survivors.
“I know a lot of people in the area have gone over there to help. We’d also had some interest, and people were asking where they could drop off donations,” said Burnet Chamber Executive Director Kim Winkler. “There was no place around here I saw that was a central drop-off location.”
Working with the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, officials drafted a list of items most needed at the flood recovery site:
- bottled water
- can openers
- flashlights with batteries
- heavy-duty trashbags
- laundry baskets
- large storage containers with lids
- non-perishable snack foods
- rain boots (men’s and women’s)
- work gloves
“There’s a great need right now. Wimberley is very similar to us in size, a very close-knit community,” Winkler said. “Seeing the devastation is heart-wrenching, and we want to do everything we can to help.”
Area residents can drop off donations at the chamber office, 101 N. Pierce St. The donation deadline is June 4. Delivery is expected for Friday or Saturday.
Donations also may be made at www.burnetchamber.org.
For more information, call (512) 756-4297.
connie@thepicayune.com