How to help Central Texas residents hit by tornadoes

After 15 minutes, Talamantez said she received a call from her sister saying her family was okay. However, their house in the Kensington Place neighborhood, just off Gattis School Road in the southern end of Round Rock, was destroyed.

“My family is no doubt in complete shock,” Talamantez told MySA. “It was the only home we ever lived in as a family, so the loss is very emotional.”

Glass, shattered lumber, and roof shingles lined the streets of Talamantez’s neighborhood. Talamantez created a GoFundMe on Tuesday, March 22 to help her family with the restoration of their home. As of Wednesday, March 23, $9,895 has been raised.

“We are feeling the pressure of building from the ground up again, but the support from the community has made us feel so protected,” Talamantez said. “It’s been a rollercoaster, but the emotions swing from despair to fear to joy and appreciation as we’ve seen people that are so ready to help.” 

According to Round Rock city officials, between 350 to 400 homes were damaged by the tornado. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravel held a press conference on Tuesday to update residents of the latest damages, according to an CBS Austin article.

“The process is going to take some time,” Gravel said. “The city of Round Rock will go methodically through their system, inspections, or third party inspections to help businesses and residents get back into their places.” 

Taqueria Jaguar’s, a family-owned food truck in Round Rock, also launched a GoFundMe after their business was affected by the tornado. 

“Our business is so well loved by so many of our customers and family and it hurts to see it has been destroyed,” Taqueria Jaguar’s owner Belen Morales said. “Looking back at the photos, we are blessed our family is alive.” 

Morales told MySA a friend had called to tell her the truck had been destroyed by the tornado. 

“I just grabbed the keys and left,” Morales said. “When I arrived, I couldn’t believe it. Seven years, I’ve been working so hard with my family and my heart was destroyed to see how bad the tornado impacted our business.”  

Family and friends have helped Morales and over $1,300 has been raised to help build their taco truck back up.

“The situation has brought my family closer and we are so thankful to those who have helped us so far,” she said. 

Here’s how else you can help those in need after the storm: 

• Donate to the Round Rock ISD’s Partners in Education Foundation, which is working with principals to identify needs and provide food, blankets, mattresses, and other necessities to those impacted. rrisdeducationfoundation.org/donate
• Donate to the Central Texas Tornadoes Relief Fund at donate.adrn.org/ctxtornadoes. 
• Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief, which has opened Texas shelters to house victims and is currently working to assess damage. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate.
• Donate to the Salvation Army, which has opened mobile kitchens and other forms of assistance in affected communities.
  Text STORM to 51555 to donate.