By Senator Kirk Watson
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas For too many Central Texas families this weekend was a long way from a holiday. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the thousands of Central Texans who have lost their homes or evacuated from their neighborhoods or who are still caring for and worrying about friends and family members in harms way.
I spent part of the weekend trying to assist volunteers professional firefighters and many others who are working heroically to contain the fires and help people whove been affected by them. And this morning I was briefed on the scope of this tragedy with the Governor and other officials.
Getting a briefing on the fires at Steiner Ranch this morning with Governor Perry and Chief W. Nim Kidd of the states Division of Emergency Management.
The pictures in the papers and on TV dont convey the full devastation. The fires have blackened tens of thousands of acres in Bastrop and Travis counties destroyed thousands of homes and wiped out neighborhoods.
Even when everything is extinguished its going to take a while for the region to recover. At the same time though people are already coming together to help neighbors and strangers whose lives have been turned upside-down.
Were fortunate to live in such a sympathetic generous place. Thats our strength and it will remain our strength as we face conquer and recover from this challenge.
With Lake Travis Fire Rescue Chief Jim Linardos
If you want to help go to the Central Texas Red Cross site here.
In Bastrop County theyre taking donations of food clothing bathroom supplies such as toothpaste tooth brushes deodorant and the like at Trinity Zion Church 151 Shiloh Bastrop TX 78602.
