Texas floods were a 'catastrophic event' that should not be politicized: Rep. Chip Roy
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, discusses the effort by some on the left to blame President Donald Trump for the Texas floods on 'Varney & Co.'
Major corporations are stepping up support for disaster relief efforts after flash floods wreaked havoc across several central Texas communities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, killing at least 104 people.
Search and rescue operations, both on the ground and in the air, remain ongoing Monday as another flood watch has been issued for central Texas through Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Fort Worth.
The Home Depot Foundation, Home Depot's philanthropic arm, pledged $250,000 to support disaster relief efforts in communities affected by the flooding. It is also working alongside its long-standing nonprofit partners, including World Central Kitchen, Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing and Team Rubicon, to deliver critical relief supplies and meals to affected communities, the foundation said.
TEXAS SUMMER CAMP EVACUATED 70 STAYING NEAR RIVER AHEAD OF FLOODING: 'SAW IT COMING'
Home Depot's employee volunteer force, known as Team Depot, is also identifying donations needed to support cleanup and other recovery efforts in partnership with local organizations that have boots on the ground, the foundation said.
The Home Depot Foundation pledged $250,000 to support disaster relief efforts in communities affected by the flooding. (Eric Vryn / Getty Images)
"As waters recede, we’ll continue working with nonprofit partners on the ground to assess the full scope of damage and ensure needs are met," Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, said in a statement.
Walmart is also pledging $500,000 to support disaster relief, including $250,000 in direct donations. The company will also match up to $250,000 in additional customer and member donations, that can soon be made online or in-stores and clubs in Texas.
Walmart, its membership warehouse, Sam’s Club, and its philanthropic arm, the Walmart Foundation, have also been working with nonprofit organizations to provide essential resources. For instance, The Walmart Supercenter in Kerrville is offering free hot meals beginning July 7 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. It's been dubbed Operation BBQ Relief.
Walmart said the company, along with Procter & Gamble, will help support laundry trucks deployed to the area on behalf of humanitarian aid organization Tides Loads of Hope. The trucks are equipped with high-efficiency washers and dryers donated by Whirlpool and can complete up to 300 loads of laundry per day, according to Tide's website.
Walmart, its membership warehouse, Sam’s Club, and the Walmart Foundation have also been working with nonprofit organizations to provide essential resources. (Jim Vondruska / Getty Images)
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation also funded local partners, including the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, with supplies, food and water.
"We are heartbroken by the devastation our associates, friends and neighbors in Texas are facing, especially the families of those who have lost loved ones," Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said. "We’re working hand-in-hand with local leaders and first responders to ensure help reaches those who need it most."
Apple CEO Tim Cook also posted on X that the tech giant "will support relief and recovery efforts on the ground." He didn't specify what that support looked like.
P&G told Gxstocks that it has already deployed its disaster response team, which includes the Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Unit, as well as mobile shower and restroom facilities. The team will also distribute essential relief supplies to affected areas.
Airbnb.org announced that it is providing free, emergency housing to people impacted by flooding in central Texas. The nonprofit, a separate entity from Airbnb Inc., works to provide free or discounted temporary housing to people in times of crisis.
Airbnb.org is already working with the group, All Hands and Hearts, state and local officials, and other local nonprofits to identify those in need of emergency housing and connect them to a free place to stay.
Lowe's said its store workers are working closely with community command centers in San Angelo and Kerrville to monitor the needs of residents. Teams have already donated water, box fans, Lowe’s buckets, trash bags, trash cans, paper towels and chainsaws along with chainsaw accessories. Meanwhile, the company hosted Bucket Brigade relief events at stores in San Angelo and Kerrville, where workers are distributing more than 500 buckets filled with cleaning and relief supplies.
Lowe’s Emergency Command Center in Mooresville, North Carolina, is also expediting emergency products like bottled water, totes, cleaning supplies and dehumidifiers into the region to help the communities.
The death toll climbed over the weekend after a 20-foot "deadly flood wave" rushed down the Guadalupe River, impacting communities in the Hill Country region. Deaths were reported in Kerr, Burnet, Travis, Kendall, Williamson and Tom Green counties, according to FOX Weather.
TEXAS FLOODING KILLS MORE THAN 80 AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR DOZENS OF PEOPLE
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth posted on X on Monday that there could be an additional one to 3 inches of rain with isolated amounts of up to 5 inches.
GET Gxstocks ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
"Flooding likely won't be as widespread today, but recent rainfall has worsened the flood threat," the NWS office in Fort Worth said.
