WILCO - A special called meeting was held Monday morning to provide more information for help in the county after last week’s devastating tornado.
On Monday, March 28, the Williamson County Commissioners’ court met to discuss relief efforts throughout the county, including a site in Taylor.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell gave details on how much damage the tornadoes caused in the county from Round Rock to Hutto to Granger.
According to Gravell, 1,119 structures that were damaged in Williamson County from the tornadoes. In the rural area, there were 343 structures damaged.
“I care about the uninsured and the underinsured,” he said. “I want to make sure we have every tool in our tool belt to help our people.”
On Wednesday, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be in the county to review the area.
“Our goal is pretty simple as a county,” Gravell said. “It’s to help us get all of the assessments in so that we can potentially qualify for federal relief.”
The Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) is open in Taylor March 29-31 at the Williamson County Expo Center for those affected by the tornadoes.
Gravell said the MARC center is to provide resources to all residents in the county. Aside from the county owning the Expo Center, he said it was an open place where people can come to get help.
“We wanted a nondescript safe place for folks to come to so they can be transparent, and we can be helpful for them,” he said.
On Tuesday, the first day of the MARC, 14 families came through before 2 p.m. For residents who are not able to make it to the MARC, Constables in Williamson County, led by Constable Paul Leal, are visiting residents to deliver a letter from Gravell.
“As long as we can get (residents’) information and pictures, that will begin the process,” Gravell said. “If they can’t get to us, we’re going to them.”
American Red Cross and Disaster Relief Network are among the agencies that will be in the MARC.
“If you have had damage, or anything related to the tornadoes, there is online things you can go do,” said Russ Boles, county commissioner Precinct 4. “If you want to go talk to a person, this is your time to go talk to a person about getting help as far as damage or something you have been affected (by) with the tornado.”
Funds created to assist in relief efforts
On Monday, March 28, Williamson County Farm Bureau established the Williamson County Rural Relief Fund. Boles said the Farmer’s Bureau is donating $25,000 to the fund.
He said other businesses such as Samsung and Home Depot also have interest in contributing to the fund.
“I thank Bob Avant with the Farm Bureau for leading the charge on this,” Boles said. “I also want to thank Bryan Borchers . . . He is also the chair of the Hutto YMCA. He will be working with Tim Jordan from the Hutto Chamber to establish Hutto’s Cares.”
Boles said the damage in Hutto is “a little different” than damage in other areas of the county.
“There is definitely damage there and there are people in that community wanting to help as well,” he said.
Anyone affected by the March 21 tornadoes who is not able to come to the MARC can call the Austin Disaster Relief Network Disaster Survivor Hotline at 512- 806-0800 for assistance.
