News Summary
A significant flood disaster in Texas Hill Country has led to over 130 fatalities and numerous missing persons. The community is rallying together, organizing a benefit concert entitled ‘Band Together Texas’ to support local recovery efforts. Scheduled for August 17, the event aims to help a local venue, with various artists and celebrities participating. In parallel, the Texas Attorney General is investigating charity scams, and the U.S. Department of Education is providing funding to support students affected by the floods.
New Braunfels, Texas – A devastating series of floods that struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4 has resulted in over 130 fatalities, with more than 100 individuals still reported missing. The catastrophic flooding has caused widespread destruction, significantly damaging homes, businesses, and public infrastructure across the region.
In response to the disaster, the community is uniting to support recovery efforts. Gruene Hall is organizing a benefit concert on August 17, titled “Band Together Texas,” which aims to raise funds specifically for Crider’s Rodeo & Dancehall, a local venue that was heavily impacted by the floods. The concert will take place at the Moody Centre in Austin and will feature a stellar lineup of artists including Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Kelly Clarkson, and Cody Johnson, among others.
Additionally, the concert will showcase performances from prominent figures in the music industry such as Ronnie Dunn, Lyle Lovett, Randy Rogers Band, and Lukas Nelson. The event is also set to include notable celebrity appearances from actors Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid, as well as sports icons Roger Clemens and Vince Young. All proceeds from this massive event will be directed towards the Community Benefit of Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation to aid those affected by the floods.
However, while the community rallies in support, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into reports of scams targeting charitable donations meant for flood victims. This necessary action aims to ensure that contributions reach those who genuinely need assistance during this challenging time.
The state’s aging infrastructure, including outdated drainage systems and insufficient early warning mechanisms, has been cited as a significant factor exacerbating the flood damage. The Texas government is making strides to address these issues by creating its first comprehensive flood plan back in 2024, which seeks to mitigate future flood risks across vulnerable areas.
As part of the recovery efforts, the U.S. Department of Education has approved $250,000 in Project SERV funding to help support students in flood-affected communities in Kerr County. This funding will provide critical mental health services and necessary resources to ensure that schools can reopen in a timely manner for students in August, allowing them to resume their education despite the ongoing recovery challenges.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has underscored the importance of federal support in the recovery process, highlighting that assistance is crucial for rebuilding and recovery in the wake of such a natural disaster. The ongoing trend of increased extreme rainfall events in Texas has raised alarms among researchers, who warn that these climatic shifts further threaten vulnerable communities that are already at risk of flooding.
Local governments often find themselves confronting the daunting task of managing flood risks with limited state funding and technical expertise, making these community efforts all the more essential. The upcoming benefit concert and the support initiatives from various organizations aim to foster resilience and hope, as the Texas Hill Country community comes together to recover from this unprecedented tragedy.
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Additional Resources
- Amazon News: Central Texas Flood Disaster Relief
- Wikipedia: 2023 Texas Floods
- Country Town News: Benefit Concert for Texas Floods
- Google Search: Texas Hill Country Floods
- The Conversation: Texas Communities Unprepared for Floods
- Google Scholar: Texas Flood Preparedness
- Texas Border Business: Project SERV Grant for Flood Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Floods
- Music Row: Central Texas Flood Aid Benefit
- Google News: Central Texas Flood Recovery
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
