(AUSTIN) — Senator Judith Zaffirini is encouraging Central Texans to volunteer or to donate to recovery efforts to help families impacted by the recent severe floods.

"Many families lost their homes and belongings in the floods, and they will need our support as they begin to move forward," Senator Zaffirini said. "It is my hope that all Central Texans who are able will donate time or resources to helping their neighbors rebuild."

As the recovery process continues, the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/tx/austin), the United Way (https://secure.donationpay.org/unitedwayaustin/flooding2013.php), Habitat for Humanity (http://www.austinhabitat.org/), the Austin Disaster Relief Network (http://www.adrntx.org/) and many other community groups and associations are in dire need of volunteers and donations.

Local flood assistance resources also are available in Caldwell, Guadalupe, Hays and Travis counties.

Senator Zaffirini made an initial $1,000 donation to the Austin-Travis County Flood Relief Fund (http://www.texasbuildersfoundation.org/contribute/austin-flood-relief) and provided 450 hot meals to families impacted by the Onion Creek floods. Her son, Carlos, contributed another 150 meals for one of the town hall meetings she co-sponsored.

On Friday she and representatives of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Department of Public Safety took a helicopter tour of the flooded areas. They participated in the search for a missing woman and her vehicle. In Caldwell County, near Martindale, they saw a tubing outfitter's buses that had floated downstream and became lodged in trees or mud pits.

"My staff and I are working closely with TCEQ to address safety and environmental hazards created by debris carried downstream during the floods," Senator Zaffirini said. "Our goal is to protect the health of the residents and ensure that areas near the San Marcos River are cleaned up as soon as possible."

On Saturday she and her son joined Bluff Springs volunteers who were serving countless neighbors.

On Monday the senator visited the Dove Springs Recreation Center and interacted with families and volunteers in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, including Onion Creek Forest and Yarrabee Bend. The recreation center is serving as a one-stop shop where persons affected by the flood can access critical recovery services.

"I am so impressed by the amazing volunteers and by the optimism and perseverance of families who lost so much in the floods," Senator Zaffirini said. "We must do everything possible to facilitate our communities' recovery from this natural disaster."

SENATOR JUDITH ZAFFIRINI visits with Keith Squire and his daughter, Star, at the Dove Springs Recreation Center. More than 600 families were displaced by the recent severe floods in Central Texas.

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