Search and rescue teams are still combing the area and relief efforts are underway in Central Texas, where flash floods have killed more than 80 people, including children, after the Guadalupe River north of San Antonio surged on July 4 over 26 feet in less than an hour.
Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp at the river’s edge, confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors died in the floods, according to a statement on its website. It was not said how many were children. Searchers are still looking for 41 people known to be missing, including 10 children and a camp counselor, and Gov. Greg Abbott said July 6 that the number is expected to be higher.
Relief organizations such as the Red Cross and World Central Kitchen have been in the area for days, local groups are gathering supplies and money to help people who were impacted, and GoFundMe fundraisers have sprung up.
Unfortunately, whenever there’s a disaster and people want to help, there are also scammers ready to take advantage of their generosity.
Here’s how you can pitch in, without getting scammed.
Give money
The fastest way is, of course, to send money.
While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, charity organizations aren’t ready to handle the logistical nightmare of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to trusted charities means the money goes to what’s needed right now in the places it’s needed most.
Charities also often get bulk discounts and, if possible, will purchase items in the disaster area to help support local economic recovery.
There might be a time when items are needed, but in the early days it’s money.
How can I make sure my money gets to Texas flooding victims?
Sadly, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there always will be scammers seeking to take advantage. Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out.
One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words “scam,” “fraud,” “complaint” or “rating.” You also can research them at one of the organizations that rate charities: The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), Guidestar (guidestar.org), or CharityWatch (charitywatch.org).
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also maintains a list of approved charitable organizations.
Even if you see a social media post, email or text from a charity with a name you recognize, don’t assume it’s from that charity. It could be a scammer pretending to be them. Don’t click on any links. Instead, go directly to the charity’s website and donate there.
Avoid donating to any message asking for cryptocurrency. The Federal Trade Commission has a page on detecting cryptocurrency scams at ftc.gov/cryptocurrency. Also avoid paying in cash, by gift card or by wiring money.
Pay by credit card or check and keep a record of your donations so you can check later to make sure the correct amount was charged. The FTC also has these tips to watch for:
If you believe you are dealing with a charity scam or are a victim of fraud, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office or the Texas Charitable Trusts division and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help others from getting victimized.
Can I trust GoFundMe fundraisers for victims of Texas flooding?
GoFundMe fundraisers for people impacted by the flooding are already piling up in this popular crowdfunding site that connects you directly to people who need help.
This can be a great way to help individuals in need and put a face on the person you’re donating to, but it also can be an easy way to get scammed as your social media fills up with both real flood victims and carefully crafted tales of woe. Read the campaigns carefully and avoid donating unless you’re certain it’s legit.
To be sure, go to GoFundMe’s dedicated hub of Texas flooding requests that have been verified by GoFundMe to be legitimate.
What national organizations are helping Texas flooding victims?
American Red Cross: Always one of the first groups in and probably the best-known aid organization in the world, the Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has opened shelters in affected areas as well as two reunification centers, according to a post on X. You can contribute to the national group’s Texas flooding relief efforts.
Americares: Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. The organization announced July 8 they have deployed an emergency response team to the area. You can donate to help at my.americares.org/give/623705
World Central Kitchen: When there is a disaster, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website.
The Salvation Army: Another group quick to get on the ground when disaster strikes, the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Kerrville is coordinating and accepting donations of nonperishable goods, personal hygiene items, diapers and other items while providing regular updates on its Instagram page. The Salvation Army of Texas has also deployed a deployed a mobile kitchen and team, according to a July 5 statement, and is taking donations here.
There are also many other organizations providing specialty care and assistance:
All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. The group has staged to help the Kerr County flooding relief efforts as soon as it is safe to do so. You can donate to All Hands and Hearts here.
Direct Relief: Direct Relief brings long-term medical aid specifically needed by local officials and agencies. The organization has provided $50,000 to support rapid deployment of emergency medical supplies and operating funds to impacted areas, according to their website, and made more than $90 million in medicines and medical supplies available for healthcare providers. You can donate to their general fund here.
Operation Blessing: This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. They’re on the ground in Texas, their website said. Donate here.
Save the Children: This organization works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. While they have not yet launched a Texas flooding campaign, “Save the Children is closely monitoring the situation and assessing how children may be impacted,” the organization posted to X. Donate to the Children’s Emergency Fund.
Should I head to the affected regions and volunteer to help Texas flooding victims?
Unless officially requested, no.
There are disaster response teams and trusted organizations doing that and random volunteers, while appreciated in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to help in disaster recovery, could get in the way with unauthorized drones and boat, might take up resources needed for locals or even become victims themselves.
There will be local health professionals, Red Cross volunteers and first responders heading to the area, check with them to see how you can help, or call 830-465-4797 or go to Texas Community Recovery.
Can I help pets hurt or stranded by the Texas flooding?
There are a number of local organizations dedicated to helping animals in the affected regions.
Austin Pets Alive! reported that it has taken in over 150 animals from flood affected areas and shelters in Kerr and Williamson counties as of July 6.
The shelter said that they are continuing a volunteer search and rescue group to find animals along the riverbank. The shelter also said it is seeking donations to provide support to families that have lost pets, including body recovery and cremation services.
The shelter is accepting donations on its website. They are working with Kerrville Pets Alive, which is also accepting donations through @KerrvillePetsAlive on Venmo.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Texas flooding help: How to donate without getting scammed
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
