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Posted
2 minutes ago, TexasEd said:

I don't know much about search, rescue and recovery except that it is only one of the early stages of disaster recovery.  It seems to be well covered right now by people who know that space.  In 7-14 days when the recovery is done those groups will leave and the survivors will be left trying to figure out what needs to be done next and trying to figure out how to move forward.  

One of the main next steps is cleanup. There are others like health and welfare (medical and counseling) and rebuilding but the one that seems to be the hardest inn the midst of the grief is cleanup.

We can help organize the manpower for targeted cleanup of properties impacted.  That is the light demolition, debris removal, initial stabilization, cleaning, sorting of household effects, and providing cleaning materials for property owners affected by disasters.  One of the goals is to minimize out of pocket expenses for cleanup so they can focus funds on rebuilding.

To be effective we need to be organized.  I've done the work before and you can end up wasting a lot of time if you're not organized. There are several aspects/things we need:

  • Coordinator on the ground.  @InkaUtexas says we have some contacts in Kerr County. Other places are affected too like Georgetown and Sandy Creek, we could help there if we get contacts.
  • When to go.  If they are still doing recovery you'll get in the way.  Some areas are not ready for cleanup yet but others are.  
  • Where to go. We want to know the addresses and property owners we will work with ahead of time. I've done the show up and drive down the streets to find people that need help.  Sometimes that is great and they get used to it after you've been there a while but they are probably a little overwhelmed and suspicious at the same time so if you can get that coordinator to tell you an address and the people that will be there it will help a lot.  I've also done the drive up and check in at a table and they give you a job that a 10 year old could do like pick up trash while you have all your gear in your truck.  If you have a site prearranged you'll be more effective.
  • What to bring. Depending on the site you might need chainsaws, generators, water pumps or even heavy equipment.  There are standard lists of PPE and tools for demo work. We will also need cleaning equipment, mops, bleach, trash bags, etc.
  • Who is going. You can overwhelm a small job with too many people.  We need effective teams of a few people that can work independently on small jobs or swarm on a larger job.  Scaling people to what the job needs is important.

What am I looking for:

  1. Points of contact to coordinate cleanup crews on site or people that know the area can put us in contact with people that need help so we can plan the jobs
  2. On site Volunteers.  Those with experience can be a crew lead and newcomers can bring their muscle, sturdy gloves and surly attitude
  3. Organizers to help match teams with jobs, make sure they have the right gear, don't have any FEMA restrictions, etc.
  4. Logistics support - organizing the collection supplies and being able to move them where they are needed. A lockable enclosed trailer would be a huge help. @BurntEyes knows more about this.

So if you're done bitching about what's wrong let's turn that into actually doing something productive.  If we can get this done right then we can build the muscle memory to respond to other things in the future in a more effective way.

@immamac for awareness

In. Do we get t-shirts? can we be the 4-8 club? 

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Posted

I’m in as well. This town is still in the shock phase of things. Kerrville itself is business as usual, until you approach the river, which is all the time. I feel like the shock is going to wear off soon, and I’m afraid of how (and for how long) that’s going to last. Supplies are abundant; clothing, dry goods, water, etc are all here, and still coming in. Those things are also being donated locally to the point where one entity will tell you to take your load to another because they’re saturated.

Let me know what I can do, and I’ll do it.

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Posted

As an old, fat, out of shape guy that lives multiple states away, I say good on each and every one of you that partake in this endeavor.  Give the rest of us an avenue to support financially.  Gas money, supply funds, we can support Seal Team Surly from afar.

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Posted

Thanks for the responses.  @Homesickhorn your post implies that you are in the Kerrville area.  If so you can start feeling out how to compile a list of places that need help, some descriptions of what they need done, and when they are ready for people to start showing up. Obviously work crew is also needed. 

@SurlyGator thank you, let me think about the funding for a day or two.  We'll need to buy cleaning supplies, gas, and maybe fans to donate.  I don't want to take money until we're ready and be accountable for what we're going to do with it.  (No bus ride from Bob here)

Posted
As an old, fat, out of shape guy that lives multiple states away, I say good on each and every one of you that partake in this endeavor.  Give the rest of us an avenue to support financially.  Gas money, supply funds, we can support Seal Team Surly from afar.

Seal Team Surly. Fantastic.
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Posted (edited)
On 7/8/2025 at 8:37 AM, SquishMitten said:

Based on a couple posts from yesterday, it sounds like volunteers aren’t needed at the moment? How long is that likely to be the case? I planned to drive up to help clear debris tomorrow and Thursday. Is that not recommended? If not, would it be better after a couple more days once the initial round of volunteers taps out? Any good links around where someone is posting for volunteer signup or something of the sort? I’ve sent money and supplies, but I’ve still got my body and a bunch of gear I can put to use, just don’t wanna get in the way. 

Quoting you in this thread. See above.

@West Kerr Horn  We'll get people ready when you need people to come in and clean up.

Edited by TexasEd
Posted

I've been very down to help this entire time but I keep hearing that there really isn't need for volunteers and that most people are just getting in the way. I already did what I could financially. 

I'm pretty young and lithe and can get after it for hours at a time. I don't have a wife or kids. I can't take like a week off work but I could chip in a day or two at a time. 

Just let me know I guess - feel free to send a pm.

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Posted
6 hours ago, TexasEd said:

Quoting you in this thread. See above.

@West Kerr Horn  We'll get people ready when you need people to come in and clean up.

Following up on time frames. 

Typically, urgent help is most needed post recovery aspects which are occurring now. For quick clarification, recovery is the hardest psychologically as it includes dealing with death and usually it leaves the survivors mentally worn out.

Post recover is clean up/restoration. This is when houses will be cleaned up and repaired when possible. Trash is removed and where possible folks try to move back or start preparing for rebuilding. This time frame varies but is generally it is about 7-14 after recovery efforts have ended. In order to best organize. It's the primary focus of our efforts as it's when the flood victims tend to get the least help, and sadly need it the most. 

We want to start now as organization efforts take time. First, we need an assessment of where help is needed. By that I mean actual locations, homes, apartments and a general assessment of what help is needed. 

This aspect allows for effective and efficient deployment of resources which include man power and goods. You don't want to send people driving out with nothing to do, going where help is not needed, or worse missing people that need help or not bringing proper resources. 

Hence, why we are trying to organize now. 

Currently the most important aspect is contacts in the region to start the needs assessment. 

Second is an effort to begin collecting cleaning goods and ppe. 

To that end a lockable trailer, location to stow said trailer and someone with a vehicle capable of dispatch is an important aspect. 

Those that can't go out and spend time in field can help with finding a trailer, finding a location for the trailer, receiving cleaning materials, organizing materials, finding people to donate materials. 

Current needs in order of priority:

1) Contacts within the effected area that can provide input on need areas

2) Someone to engage with those contacts for preliminary assessments. (I will be helping here)

3) A list of people willing to volunteer time and tools they have available. (The team will start putting these together from volunteers found in this thread and elsewhere) These are Seal Team Surly volunteers. 

4) Field assessment @InkaUtexas will be leading those efforts

5) Allocation of known resources to known specific locations of need post assessment. I will work with @TexasEd and @InkaUtexas to assist in this effort.

6) A lockable trailer than can be used for a while or someone willing to fund a Uhaul cost for a couple of weeks. 

7) A location to stow trailer and someone with a vehicle that can dispatch/tow trailer to need location(s)

😎 Volunteers to organize/receive donations at trailer (Surly Volunteers)

9) cleaning supply donations for trailer (Surly Volunteers)

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Posted (edited)

Disclosure and requests for prospect volunteers

I wanted to provide some quick disclosures, why and some requests for those willing to volunteer.

1) I am going to create an internal, private file share between @TexasEd and @InkaUtexas The file will be to organize volunteers and resources. It will only be internal between the 3 of us. In full disclosure I wanted to make people aware.

2) There maybe be some small group emails, but any such communication will be fully BCC accept where specific members of the group have clearly requested otherwise.

3) If you're wanting to volunteer to help us best align resources to need please PM me, @InkaUtexas and  @TexasEd Include the following information when known:

-Name you prefer us to use for communication (Surly handle is fine)

-Email address and phone (it will stay internal or BCC only as noted in disclosures above) no concerns if you generate a random Gmail or use Google voice or similar tools as long as you check them.

-Assistance you are able to provide

-Broad time frames you are available 

-Any resources you're willing/able to provide in efforts

Edited by BurntEyes
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Posted (edited)

When my mom was ~80, her home was severely damaged by a hurricane. She basically only had me to help her move all of her furniture and the majority of her belongings to the sidewalk to be trashed. She could effectively do nothing to help. This was about 2-3 weeks after the hurricane. A house that had water in it, exposed to the elements and no power/AC for weeks is a nasty place.

A church group from Washington state came down to Texas to help people. They were saints. Helping to haul things. Clean out the fridge. Even willing to assist my mom in going through personal items to see what could be salvaged. We knocked it out within 6-7 hours instead of the days or weeks it would have taken me. I forget their individual names but will forever be grateful for their help. 

EDIT: One benefit of strangers helping someone out is that the strangers are less emotional. A family handling this task on their own will naturally experience emotions that slow progress. The downside of strangers is that they might toss out something with sentimental value.

Edited by Nice Guy Eddie
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Posted
1 hour ago, BurntEyes said:

Disclosure and requests for prospect volunteers

I wanted to provide some quick disclosures, why and some requests for those willing to volunteer.

1) I am going to create an internal, private file share between @TexasEd and @InkaUtexas The file will be to organize volunteers and resources. It will only be internal between the 3 of us. In full disclosure I wanted to make people aware.

2) There maybe be some small group emails, but any such communication will be fully BCC accept where specific members of the group have clearly requested otherwise.

3) If you're wanting to volunteer to help us best align resources to need please PM me, @InkaUtexas and  @TexasEd Include the following information when known:

-Name you prefer us to use for communication (Surly handle is fine)

-Email address and phone (it will stay internal or BCC only as noted in disclosures above) no concerns if you generate a random Gmail or use Google voice or similar tools as long as you check them.

-Assistance you are able to provide

-Broad time frames you are available 

-Any resources you're willing/able to provide in efforts

Making this way too complicated.

Guys (gals?) need a time and place to show up. Worked perfect in Wimberley.

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Posted

I'm not really understanding what is going on here. Why does this need to be super secret and why are you guys using surly for whatever this is? 

Are you guys just going to help people? Exchange phone numbers via DM and start a group text. What is all this anonymous shit? 

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Posted (edited)

Yeah, I think the anonymous stuff is premature.  I'm working on a comms plan that will likely include either just text messages or an app like Telegram or Signal but it's too early for that.

Right now I need to know the things I listed above, more specifically.

  1. Do you know a contact at locations that need cleanup.  I'll start reaching out to Churches and civic orgs if we don't get contacts through our personal relationships.  These contacts don't need to be posters here.  These are the people that live in or have ties in the areas that need help.
  2. Volunteers to do the work.  Right now your surly handle is good enough.  I'm taking notes and later I'll get your contact information and reach out.  If you send me a PM great, if not I'll reach back out.  Posting here  something like "I'm in for a work crew, I have a little/lot/no experience" is good enough.  If we get 4 people who volunteer then I won't work as hard to find places to go as I will if we have 20 people.

Later I'll get people matched up with partners, sites, dates and set up some way to communicate so that if we have 3 teams in an area and one needs a surge of help for something we can coordinate.

If you message me let me know:

  • home base (i.e. S Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock)
  • level of experience with this kind of cleanup
  • any special skills you have like plumber, electrician, construction knowledge, equipment operator
  • any notable tools you have access to
Edited by TexasEd
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Posted
2 hours ago, immamac said:

I'm not really understanding what is going on here. Why does this need to be super secret and why are you guys using surly for whatever this is? 

Are you guys just going to help people? Exchange phone numbers via DM and start a group text. What is all this anonymous shit? 

 

images (7).jpeg

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Posted

I respect what you're doing and the reasons behind it. I’m actively considering how to support and help make this happen.

I do want to offer a word of caution. While some threads here have mentioned survivor’s guilt or PTSD in the context of this disaster, there’s another layer that’s just as real—the toll that comes from simply showing up in good faith and working tirelessly under extreme circumstances. The emotional and mental weight of that effort can be just as enduring as any physical pain.

Case in point: my former law partner flew overseas with a group that went to Thailand after the 2004 tsunami. Within a year of returning, he took his own life. I’m not saying the trip caused it—but I am saying that what he witnessed and endured over there may have contributed. It added to the weight he was already carrying. So please, before you leap head first into this, take a hard look at where you are mentally and emotionally, and whether you’re ready to bear that kind of burden. My friend wasn’t. He couldn’t. And that only compounded the tragedy.

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Posted
5 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

I respect what you're doing and the reasons behind it. I’m actively considering how to support and help make this happen.

I do want to offer a word of caution. While some threads here have mentioned survivor’s guilt or PTSD in the context of this disaster, there’s another layer that’s just as real—the toll that comes from simply showing up in good faith and working tirelessly under extreme circumstances. The emotional and mental weight of that effort can be just as enduring as any physical pain.

Case in point: my former law partner flew overseas with a group that went to Thailand after the 2004 tsunami. Within a year of returning, he took his own life. I’m not saying the trip caused it—but I am saying that what he witnessed and endured over there may have contributed. It added to the weight he was already carrying. So please, before you leap head first into this, take a hard look at where you are mentally and emotionally, and whether you’re ready to bear that kind of burden. My friend wasn’t. He couldn’t. And that only compounded the tragedy.

+1

TBH don't go help people to deal with the loss or your own emotions about it, you should only go if you know what you are getting into and you are equipped to help. 

Its not going to be glorious, its going to be fucking terrible and the thanks you will get won't really be worth it if that's why you are going. 

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Posted
20 minutes ago, immamac said:

+1

TBH don't go help people to deal with the loss or your own emotions about it, you should only go if you know what you are getting into and you are equipped to help. 

Its not going to be glorious, its going to be fucking terrible and the thanks you will get won't really be worth it if that's why you are going. 

This is very much the case.  After the Eaton Fire, we were all eager to roll up our sleeves and start helping physically in any way we could.  The reality was the scope and scale of the destruction was WAY beyond the abilities of just well intentioned neighbors.  Ultimately the best way we found to help was financially through Go Fund Me's for families who had lost everything (and we know many dozens/hundreds in this situation).  But to that end, be VERY certain the GFM's are legit.  Even if they are for people you know.  The scumbags are already out setting up bogus ones, filing BS FEMA claims just using public property data and social media, you name it.  Trust but verify.  I can't stress that enough.  But yes, the scale may be way more than the surly flood brigade can impact.  But maybe not.  Wishing you all the very best.

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Posted

Thanks for the warnings guys.  I am slowly building a list of people willing to do back breaking work in the Texas heat under emotionally charged circumstances.  The reminders that this is not for everyone are valid.  

I am also getting the on site contacts I need now to help line up the places to go that need help so we are expected when we show up.

Also, not all the work is super physical.  Sometimes it's washing the mud off dishes and stacking them, helping sort and clean family possessions, helping a homeowner with sorting things they point out.  So if that's something you're up for hit me up.  (It will still be muddy, hot and emotional).

one of the guys that messaged pointed out that being bilingual is a special skill too so it's added on the list.

If you message me let me know:

  • home base (i.e. S Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock)
  • level of experience with this kind of cleanup
  • any special skills you have like plumber, electrician, construction knowledge, equipment operator
  • any notable tools you have access to
  • Bilingual?
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Posted (edited)

Updates:

I have several POCs in different areas that will need cleanup.  I'm communicating with them on timing.  I posted a link to one of the larger ones on the How you can help thread. 

I have relatives in Kerrville working the SAR.  They are from a family of firefighters and local insurance.  They and others are telling me that some of the smaller areas might be overlooked.  I'll try to set people up with where help is needed the most.  

I have about 10 people who have sent me an initial "I'll help" message I will start posting information about timing and locations soon.  When it's time to move we'll move some of the logistics coordination to direct communications.

 

 

Edited by TexasEd
Posted
22 hours ago, Saint Tacky said:

I do want to offer a word of caution. While some threads here have mentioned survivor’s guilt or PTSD in the context of this disaster, there’s another layer that’s just as real—the toll that comes from simply showing up in good faith and working tirelessly under extreme circumstances. The emotional and mental weight of that effort can be just as enduring as any physical pain.

Fair points. Those of us from shag that shoveled, swept, carried, shoveled more and everything else in Wimberley over a day / two can attest that it was physically and, just as much, emotionally challenging. The things you see will be forever burned into your mind. They still are 10+ years later.

But when you drive away in the evening(s) just completely sapped physically and / or mentally everything else is secondary knowing that you've helped in some little way in a situation where a lot of littles add up to something pretty big. 

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