Home Builders Help Rebuild Lives For Area Flood Victims

Two town-hall meetings scheduled in Wimberley July 18th & 29th

The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin established a dedicated fund specifically to raise dollars to provide relief to victims of the recent floods in Blanco, Hays and Travis counties on Memorial Day weekend. Members of the HBA of Greater Austin and the general public can make tax-deductible donations to the “Blanco, Hays and Travis County, TX Flood Relief Fund” set up through the Texas Association of Builders’ Texas Builders Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization. Every single dollar donated through the fun will benefit local flood victims.

The Hays County cities of San Marcos and Wimberley were hardest hit after torrential rain swelled the normally scenic Blanco River into a destructive wall of water early Sunday, May 24, 2015, Memorial Day weekend.? As of June 11, 12 people have been confirmed dead, and two children are still missing. At least 400 homes in San Marcos and Wimberley were destroyed, and dozens more are damaged.

The Blanco River runs through both towns and was swollen by nearly 10 inches of rain that fell Saturday night over neighboring in Blanco County. Upstream in the town of Blanco, the river ran roughshod over its banks through Blanco State Park and reached the U.S. 281 bridge. In Wimberley, the river crested at 40 feet – 27 feet above flood stage. When the river reached San Marcos further downstream, it swept into houses and up over Interstate 35, closing the highway for several hours Sunday morning.

“As home builders, we have the knowledge and skill to help these folks rebuild their homes and their lives. As an association, we also have the ability to come together collectively to raise the funds needed to push this effort forward; and as members of this community, it is our duty and honor to do so,” says Walt Elias, HBA of Greater Austin president.

The public is invited to attend a town hall meeting to learn more (other state agencies may be present):

Saturday, July 18, 2015, 9:00 a.m.
Wimberley Community Center
4068 Ranch Rd 12
Wimberley, TX 78676

Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 6:30 p.m.
Wimberley Community Center
4068 Ranch Rd 12
Wimberley, TX 78676

For more information contact Emily Lubbers, (512) 982-9184 or emily@hbaaustin.com.

About the HBA
Since 1953, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin has served as the leading not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to residential construction and remodeling in Central Texas. The HBA works with government, public, business and community organizations in six counties – Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Lee, Travis and Williamson – to protect every family’s right to home ownership. For more information, visit www.AustinHomeBuilders.com.