GUADALUPE COUNTY, Texas — The numbers tell a tale of heartbreak.
Guadalupe County officials have completed their initial assessment of damage from last Thursday's storm. According to Patrick Pinder, the county's emergency management coordinator, 136 homes were reported to be damaged. Of those, 24 homes had major damage or were destroyed, while 31 homes suffered minor damage and 81 were listed as "affected."
Officials say even though the amount of damage in dollars doesn't meet the threshold to qualify the area for disaster relief from FEMA, they hope anyone with damage will log onto the state's database for spring storms and make a report. (That can be done here.)
Pinder said the website allows contributions in English and Spanish, and people may submit photographs documenting damage and listing specific needs. It can be used to report damage to homes or businesses, as well as agricultural losses.
Carmen Davila, the public information officer for Guadalupe County, said documenting loss is important because the cumulative total grows with each adverse event. With the possibility of more spring storms on the horizon, Davila said each report is valuable.
"It's important to continue to count those numbers," Davila said.
Another important job in the days to come, Davila said, is making sure not to fall victim to those looking to prey on victims.
"We're asking people to be aware of scammers that may be in the area, and to be cognizant of what they are asking to do, the prices that they are charging," Davila said.
Davila said while county crews can remove debris on public land and rights-of-way, it's the responsibility of residents to clean up their own property.
Pointing out that the landfills in the area are privately operated, Davila said, "It's important to call the landfill you plan on using to make sure they will take the debris you want to take to them and get a cost estimate."
Davila says Post Oak Landfill in the Luling area offers a discounted fee for Guadalupe County residents.
Now is also a good time to check on elderly neighbors, she said.
"It helps to see if they are OK and to help them look out for scammers as well," she said.
Davila said the Red Cross continues to operate a temporary help center in the Redwood community area at 5093 Redwood Road, where the organization is providing some types of emergency supplies. The organization can be reached at 1-800-RED CROSS.
Officials said anyone who has trouble navigating the state website to report damage can reach the county directly by emailing. emc1@co.guadalupe.tx.us.
"Residents can send us an email and then we can follow up with them," Pinder said, adding they will be traveling with iPads to conduct data collection in the field while doing assessments.
Anyone without internet access can still call (830) 303-8856.
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