Situation Report: Texas Flood Relief Response – Disaster Tech Lab
Reporting Period: April 15–20, 2025
Prepared by: Disaster Tech Lab Operations Team
Overview
In response to the devastating floods that struck Central Texas, Disaster Tech Lab (DTL) deployed field teams across multiple impacted regions including Kerrville, Hunt, Ingram, Leander, Sandy Creek, San Saba, and surrounding areas. The primary mission: conduct rapid needs and damage assessments, establish critical communications infrastructure, and support coordination among local responders, grassroots volunteers, and humanitarian organizations.
The scale of the disaster is severe. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, infrastructure has been heavily damaged or wiped out entirely, and dozens remain unaccounted for. While the destruction is vast, community resilience and grassroots response efforts have been extraordinary. Local fire departments, volunteer groups, and civic organizations have mobilized quickly, but they face serious limitations due to a lack of supplies, coordination tools, and communications infrastructure.
Estimated people directly assisted through DTL’s efforts: ~2,000+ individuals
(This includes residents provided with internet access, volunteers and responders equipped with power and tools, and displaced individuals supported with shelter, hygiene, and supplies.)
Field Engagement & Partner Coordination
DTL field teams met with key stakeholders and responders across the affected zones, including:
Kerrville Fire Department
Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs)
EMS Coordination Center
Salvation Army
St. Vincent de Paul
Southern Baptist Texas Disaster Relief
Hill Country Community Action Association
Local church and grassroots volunteer groups
These engagements focused on understanding operational challenges, offering technology and infrastructure support, and aligning on immediate resource needs.
Key challenges identified:
Fragmented coordination between agencies and volunteers initiatives
Lack of internet and communication tools hampering relief logistics
Shortages of basic recovery tools and supplies
Technology & Communications Deployment
Disaster Tech Lab prioritized restoring connectivity in areas where lack of internet was hindering relief operations. Specific actions were:
Sandy Creek: Finalized deployment of a Starlink satellite internet unit and outdoor Wi-Fi to serve as a communications hub for volunteers and responders coordinating flood relief. This was achieved by establishing public internet access at the HERO location with an open Wi-Fi network (HERO_Disaster_Tech_Lab_open), enabling residents and volunteers to stay connected, access critical information, and communicate needs in real-time.
Planning continues to expand coverage across the broader region.
These deployments are critical for enabling real-time updates, effective logistics, volunteer coordination, and access to aid resources. DTL’s presence has provided immediate technological support to ground teams and helped bridge a vital gap in the response infrastructure.
Relief Supplies Secured & Distributed
Working with our network of partners DTL sourced and delivered critical relief equipment and supplies to grassroots organizations and volunteer-led initiatives directly involved in the response effort.
Items secured and distributed include:
5 × 5500-watt generators – powering shelters, charging stations, and field operations
6 × 18" chainsaws – supporting debris clearing and access restoration
Chainsaw oil – for safe and sustained chainsaw use
10 × outdoor extension leads – enabling safe distribution of power
100 × first aid kits – deployed with volunteer teams and relief stations
1 × 8-berth accommodation trailer – providing shelter for displaced responders and volunteers
Mobile laundry facilities – supporting hygiene and dignity for flood-affected families and aid workers
Wi-Fi routers and mesh networking equipment – extending access across response zones
Work gloves, hand tools, and tarps
Cleaning supplies and disinfectants
Bottled water and non-perishable food
These supplies have filled critical gaps for organizations and volunteers working without institutional support, enabling them to continue clearing debris, caring for flood victims, and coordinating recovery activities.
Immediate Needs Identified
Across all visited locations, common needs included:
Additional generators and solar power systems
Portable lighting and backup charging infrastructure
More debris-clearing tools and safety equipment
Communications kits (hotspots, radios, routers)
Medical supplies and hygiene kits
Logistics, coordination, and tech volunteers
Disaster Tech Lab is actively compiling and distributing a priority needs list to partner organizations and potential donors. Direct support from businesses and individuals is urgently needed to address gaps.
Conclusion & Call to Action
In just a few days, Disaster Tech Lab has helped restore communication in multiple communities, distributed life-sustaining resources, and supported over 2,000 individuals directly affected by the Texas floods. Our deployments have enabled faster coordination, powered emergency operations, and strengthened the capabilities of community-led response groups.
But the work is far from over.
You can support ongoing efforts by:
Donating to fund continued deployments and critical supply purchases
→ https://donorbox.org/texas-flood-response-2025Providing or funding essential equipment
Volunteering your skills — remotely or on-site
Every contribution directly supports communities in crisis and strengthens grassroots response.
Field Update from Kerrville & Hunt, TX 
— hundreds of homes damaged, infrastructure wiped out, and heartbreaking loss.
— local FDs doing heroic work, grassroots volunteers stepping up, and roadside stands providing food, water, and essentials to flood victims and responders. 
100+ people still unaccounted for
Coordination efforts are fragmented
Recovery & rebuilding will be long and complex
Today, our team is on the ground in Leander — stay tuned for tomorrow’s update.
Please keep supporting our efforts. Every donation helps us bring critical tools, comms, and coordination to where it’s needed most.
Update on how our mission is progressing:
- Flights to San Antonio have been booked.
- Necessary equipment has been ordered and is on it's way to Texas.
- Team planning is complete.
- We're in ongoing contact with organizations and volunteer efforts on the ground to fine tune our planning and impact.
Please continue to support our mission by donating.
Thank you!
Quick update on what's been going on at the moment.
- We're working with a few people on the ground to asses the need for communication and coordination assistance. Actual damage assessments are no longer required.
- Evert Bopp (DTL's CEO) is flying into San Antonio this weekend to work together with the (expanding) team on the ground.
- Equipment (Starlink units,wifi access point, solar generators etc) are being prepared for shipping and will arrive in San Antonio in the coming days.
- We are in ongoing contact with responding organizations and volunteer groups in the affected areas to ensure that we finetune our work.
What can you do?
- Donate using the box on the right of the screen. Every little bit helps!
- We are still looking for team accommodation and a vehicle to use to get around. Of course we could use donated funds to secure this but we rather use our resources on providing aid. If you can help us with accommodation and/or a vehicle please get in touch: contact@disastertechlab.org