The Salvation Army Responds to Flooding in Central and South Texas

Widespread and life-threatening flash flooding impacted communities across Central and South Texas in mid-July. Days of heavy rainfall in the area as well as upriver on the Guadalupe, Pedernales, Nueces, Frio, and Leona Rivers submerged and destroyed roads, forced evacuations, and prompted hundreds of rescue operations. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a major disaster for 28 counties, and The Salvation Army immediately began to serve.

For the two weeks following the flooding, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams served thousands of survivors across Kerr, Uvalde, and Zavala counties, providing meals, hydration, relief supplies, and emotional and spiritual care. As immediate response efforts drew to a close, local communities entered the early stages of recovery, with Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs) opening throughout the affected areas to connect survivors with available resources and recovery information.

According to damage assessments verified by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, more than 2,000 homes were affected by the flooding disaster, including 476 homes that sustained major damage and 41 homes that were completely destroyed. Throughout the response, The Salvation Army’s emotional and spiritual care teams walked alongside survivors, first responders, and volunteers, providing compassionate support to over 1,000 individuals, offering prayer for those navigating loss, uncertainty, and the challenges of recovery.

Lieutenant Corina Stegall, emotional and spiritual care officer, recounts some of her experiences with survivors: “I had one gentleman who came through one of our feeding sites. He told me he had fought in Vietnam, and his father had served in World War II,” Lieutenant Stegall says. “He told me with everything that recently happened, he felt alone and insignificant with no one to help him. I told him that God sees him where he is, He loves him, and he matters. He allowed me to pray for him and after I was done, he had tears in his eyes and was so thankful that The Salvation Army was there to serve him that warm meal and to encourage him.”

Lieutenant Stegall also recalls how at a Crystal City feeding site the community came alongside The Salvation Army to serve. “There were so many young teens that had taken time from their Saturday to help others. The mayor was there giving a speech, but after he was done, I asked if I could pray for all of them,” Lieutenant Stegall recounts. “My heart was truly touched to see people come together to share compassion, hope, and love for each other. I just kept thinking, ‘This is what the body of Christ is supposed to look like.’”

Throughout the response, The Salvation Army served a total of 18,705 meals, 18,326 drinks, 12,245 snacks, and made 1,299 emotional and spiritual care contacts. Additionally, EDS teams distributed thousands of relief supplies to flood survivors across the affected area.

The Salvation Army will continue working alongside local service units, corps officers, community partners, and government agencies to assess ongoing needs and participate in stakeholder recovery meetings focused on potential long-term recovery assistance.