EYE ON SAN ANGELO
As one of the locations to receive flood-inducing rains on Friday, first responders in San Angelo stayed busy dealing with one emergency after another until the waters receded.
Tanya Burwick, 62, was reported missing after leaving for work early Friday. Last seen in an area with extensive flooding, a search team located her vehicle underwater but confirmed the car was empty. A resumed search effort on Saturday morning found her body several blocks away from her vehicle.
Her death was the only one reported from flooding in San Angelo.
Several families, displaced from their homes by the floods, were welcomed into Paul Ann Baptist Church, and the Salvation Army Shelter.
With the dawn Saturday, residents were already out in force, working to clean up messes and assess damages to their homes and businesses, as all of Texas kept up with the devastating news from Kerrville, where the worst flooding occurred.
All information regarding relief efforts will be handled through the City of San Angelo and the United Way.
Concho Valley Turning Point
Yesterday, dozens of volunteers poured in to assist the donation drive at Concho Valley Turning Point’s drop-off headquarters, at 2400 Hill Street.
All public donations for the relief effort are being directed to the Turning Point warehouse, where volunteers are desperately needed to unload trucks, sort and deliver items.
Exact quantities have not been reported but from the ground we counted 10-12 truck and trailer loads of hygiene items that were delivered to the main relief effort at Paulann Church.
Irma Rojas and volunteers with Turning Point started working early this morning at the warehouse.
“Today we’re gonna be open for those in need to come get supplies,” says Rojas. “We received large donations of water and food from the San Antonio and San Angelo food banks.”
Hygiene items such as are still in very short supply and donations are needed. The back room of the warehouse was piled high yesterday, but now the supply has dwindled down.
These items include; diapers, cleaning wipes, detergents, soaps, tampons and pads, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and paper towels.
They will not be accepting any clothing until further notice. They have run out of room to store and sort it.
The relief effort will continue for the next 30 days at Turning Point.
As cleanup and repair continue, plans are being made for the coming months.
“We’re still learning how to organize this; it’s not like we’ve ever had to do this before.” says Rojas.
She says that two refrigerators are in desperate need for perishable items. Especially food and drink for volunteers who will be working hard in the high heat and humidity over the coming weeks.
Doors were open from noon to 6 p.m. today where the Concho Valley Community Action Agency were organizing intakes and shelter vouchers.
Food and drink will be available on site, along with the hygiene and safety items received by Turning Point.
For more updates, visit the City of San Angelo Facebook.
Monetary donations can be given through the San Angelo Area Foundation.
Salvation Army
At 34 W. 3rd Street, Salvation Army volunteers were handing out cleanup kits along with their usual Monday food pantry disbursements.
These kits contain trash bags, gloves, cleaning supplies and tools that are needed to help get people back into their homes.
“The situation right now is that local organizations aren’t able to hand out all the food they’ve received because so many people are unable to heat and cook them properly.” says Maj. Adriana Martinez.
“We’re giving out our kits here today but this effort will be mobilized and delivered directly to the worst areas here in town.
“Everything has to be mobilized right now because so many people lost their cars, or cannot operate them from the water damage.
“Delivery of food and water to cleanup efforts is essential right now.
“Our shelter is open to families, we received two families last night.
“The response is going to change as we move on, and we will be trying to meet that need as it changes,” she said.
Other Efforts
Food Drive
KSAN-TV will hold the “KSAN Cares” food drive Friday, offering residents in the city a chance to help those affected by the recent flooding events throughout the city.
Food will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as local on-air personnel receive donations at Food King on Main Street and Market Street on Sunset Drive.
Benefit Concert
Wild West Fest announced it would be teaming up with San Angelo Area Foundation help raise funds locals impacted by the floods on Friday at the Arc Light Bar & Grill.
