Local Woman Honored by State, County For Helping Communities Recover From Floods

Commissioners Court Thanks Hays County Resident Courtney Goss – Recipient of State Hometown Hero Award – for Helping Communities Recover from Floods

Hays County Courthouse, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday recognized Buda resident Courtney Goss for her selfless dedication to community service following the Memorial Weekend and October floods of 2015.

In May she was presented with the first Texas Division of Emergency Management Hometown Hero Award “for her leadership and volunteer efforts during the Memorial Weekend flood” at the agency’s annual conference in San Antonio.

“Courtney was on the scene in Wimberley from the beginning, and with no prior experience organized volunteers and assisted survivors like a pro,” Hays County Office of Emergency Services Director Kharley Smith said, noting that she drove daily to Wimberley from Buda and following the October 2015 flood, to the Blanco River Recovery Team office in San Marcos.

“In December 2015 Courtney accepted a contract position as a State Voluntary Agency Liaison with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and now travels around the state sharing best practices and helping local jurisdictions set up volunteer organizations and long-term recovery groups after disasters,” Smith said.

“It is extremely humbling to have received the first-ever Hometown Hero Award from the Texas Division of Emergency Management,” Goss said. “Every disaster there are volunteers that work relentlessly behind the scenes, many going unrecognized. Nothing would have been possible without each and every volunteer over the last two years and organizations like the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T). When the Memorial Day Flood 2015 hit Wimberley I didn’t know what to do or how I could help but I knew I had to do something.”

“Seeing the physical devastation of my hometown broke my heart but what kept me coming back and volunteering week after week, month after month, were the people. It was an honor and privilege to get to know so many amazing individuals not only in Wimberley and Hays County but across the state that were impacted by disasters. To be there for someone in their darkest hour and give them some sort of hope – there aren’t words to describe it. To hear their stories and see their resiliency to rise above and overcome was unbelievable. Simply put, Jesus said in the Bible to love your neighbor and that’s all I did and want to be recognized for,” Goss continued.

“Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do to help the people of the State of Texas,” County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., said.

“She’s dedicated a lot of time to public service, giving back to people in need,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley said.

Goss also reminds people that Texas has suffered a record number of disasters over the last two years and that resources for long-term recovery have been spread thin.

“We have neighbors that have yet to recover from the 2015 floods and I encourage everyone to reach out to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team and volunteer,” she said. To donate or volunteer your services, visit www.BR3T.org.