SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County officials said people from all over the U.S. are showing up to help after floodwaters ripped through Wimberley and San Marcos over the Memorial Day weekend.
Organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, an international disaster relief group, and United Way are helping homeowners clean up their flooded homes.
“It breaks your heart to see and know what these homeowners are experiencing,” said Bruce Poss with Samaritan’s Purse.
Jonell Cisneros came back to a damaged house, only salvaging a refrigerator and a stove. With all the loss, he is thankful for all the help.
“Doing a great job,” he said, “and anything they do is welcome.”
Samaritan’s Purse said they will stay in Hays County for four to six weeks, helping with at least 100 homes.
“People have come from First Baptist San Marcos in droves, they have been the most wonderful,” said Sandra Sacre of the people who showed up to help clean her mom’s house.
Next door, United Way volunteers walked out of a home with a wheelbarrow full of debris.
“When a disaster happens, there seems to be no hope,” said Poss. “The physical work we do will provide hope and it helps them to get through that one next day.”
Those interested in volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse should meet with an official at 7:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at Promiseland Church, 1650 Lime Kiln Road., in San Marcos. On Sundays volunteers can meet at 12:30 p.m. You can contact Promiseland at 512-392-HELP (4357).
San Marcos police officers are also patrolling the area, to make sure there is no looting.Coordinating volunteers at Ace Hardware
The Ace Hardware Store in Downtown Wimberley is a prime example of a small business helping its neighbors. The business and people at the store are helping coordinate volunteers and sending them where they’re needed. The hardware store is also now a makeshift restaurant and volunteers are wearing multiple hats — not only are they cooks, they’re also construction workers.
