Many Central Texas communities have witnessed devastating flooding, damage, and loss of life. While last week’s post focused on immediate resources of interest to affected libraries, this post seeks to highlight resources that libraries in affected communities may want to share with their patrons.

Emotional Support

• Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line (Texas Health and Human Services)
  Newly launched support line offers free professional crisis counseling to Texas flooding survivors, families, first responders, and others affected by calling 833-812-2480. All calls are confidential and answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by personnel specially trained to work with disaster survivors.
  
  
• Texas AgriStress Helpline (Texas Department of Agriculture)
  The Texas Department of Agriculture reminds Texans that mental health support is available 24/7 through the AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474. This helpline is staffed by trained professionals familiar with rural challenges as well as challenges faced by those in the agricultural, forestry, and fishing communities. 
  
  
• Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
  National hotline (1-800-985-5990) dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Crisis counselors can also provide local resources for additional support.
  
  
• Tips for Caregivers to Help Children with Traumatic Grief (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
  The following resources are available in multiple languages:
  Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
  Helping School-age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
  Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
  
  
• Grief Support Reading Lists
  The Christi Center, a free, peer-based grief support organization for Central Texans currently maintains two grief support reading lists – one for adults and one for children, adolescents, parents, and caregivers. 
  This list is from children’s book reviewer, mother, and former elementary school teacher Maya Lê: 
  A Picture Book List for the Kerr County Flood Grieving Families.
  
  
• Mental Health Resources for those affected by the Texas Floods (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
  Created in the wake of the recent flooding event, this PDF document includes federal, state, and local resources including in-person and online support groups
  

Saving Family Treasures

• National Heritage Responders
  Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
  
  
• Heritage Emergency National Task Force’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at Save Your Family Treasures | FEMA.gov. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.
  

General Resources

• 211 Texas
  Trusted statewide resource connects people with community services. Dial 211 or visit 211Texas.org for assistance.
  
  
• Receiving Disaster Assistance (Texas Health and Human Services Commission)
  During a disaster, the Receiving Disaster Assistance page provides information on office openings, benefits and information about other groups offering aid.
  
  
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (Texas Workforce Commission)
  Under the Presidential Disaster Declaration (DR-4879-TX) dated July 6, 2025, workers and self-employed individuals in Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from severe weather may be eligible for DUA benefits. Individuals affected by the severe weather in the designated area can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling TWC at 1-800-939-6631 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications for DUA benefits under this declaration must be submitted by September 4, 2025. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by Hill Country flooding. Additional counties affected by Hill Country flooding may be added to this disaster declaration at a later time.
  
  
• Texas Department of Insurance
  The Texas Department of Insurance helps Texas flood victims with insurance questions. The help line number is 1-800-252-3439 and can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. They provide tips in English and Spanish for home and auto damage.
  
  
• Resources for Texans (Texas Division of Emergency Management)
  Resource page with links to emergency resources and critical information for Texans in the wake of disasters.