AUSTIN, Texas — As floodwaters continue to impact Travis County, local authorities have transformed Danielson Middle School in Leander into a temporary resource
, local authorities have transformed Danielson Middle School in Leander into a temporary resource center for those affected. The facility offers hot meals, showers, and a safe space for children, while medical teams are on-site to provide necessary care.
"As soon as the the flooding emergency occurred, Travis County quickly started reaching out to partners throughout the region," said Travis County Public Information Officer Hector Nieto. The school will be open as a resource center from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, including the weekends. Shuttle services will be provided by CapMetro to and from Round Mountain Baptist Church. "That shuttle is not just coming here, it is also going to other areas," said Nieto, who added that those taking the CapMetro bus will also be given a free CapMetro pass, "so that way if they wish to go somewhere else, they can use that transfer station as well." The county continues to do all it can while waiting for a federal disaster declaration to come down from the federal government. On Thursday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he requested of the Texas Division of Emergency Management that "additional counties be added to President Donald J. Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration for recent catastrophic flooding that began impacting the state last week." Among those were five counties, including Travis County "to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance programs." Burnet County and Williamson County were included as well. Nieto, prior to the governor's announcement, gave an update on that process earlier Thursday saying the county was "hopeful that Travis County will also be added to that federal disaster declaration.""Anyone that has structural issues, there is a resource called ," he said. "This is the beginning process to let not just us, but the state of Texas, know what type of damages they have. They also have the ability to enter what needs they have as well."Nieto could not give a specific number on how many homes within the county have been impacted by the floods, but says the center will be a refuge for anyone who needs it. "Anyone that is looking for a meal that has been affected can come here, get what they need, and then leave without any questions," said Nieto. Nieto says they plan to use the school as a resource center for as long as possible, which could "only be a few days, it may be a week, it may be longer."
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