Local News
Wimberley Makes Bold Moves After Epic Flooding
The Wimberley community has gelled together with pride to preserve the beauty and character of the town ever since the first post office was established here in 1880. But, perhaps at no other point in history, has that community been tested in the way it was throughout 2015, when torrential flooding destroyed 83 houses and severely damaged 196 others.
There’s now even a book about it, called Wimberley: Epic Flood Tests a Small Town’s Strength. It was bound and published at the behest of Carroll Wilson of the Wimberley Library, who is also the owner of the Old Mill Store, along with Mayor Steve Thurber and Counselor Nancy Williams.
“Together we have interviewed about 70 family units, that is more than 70 people. And we set up a special email address where people can write their own story. We got over 30 stories,” Wilson said in a recent interview.
A noble effort, indeed. The stories it contains are sure to be passed down for generations to come.
The Memorial Day Floods at one point caused the Blanco River to reach an almost biblical 43 feet at its highest point of cresting, causing Hays County to declare a federal state of disaster. Along with testing a new warning siren system, last week saw the implementation of a Disaster Loan Center (DLOC) in San Marcos.
Among other programs local residents can peruse during the ongoing recovery is the county’s Private Property Debris Removal (PPRD), and the financial assistance program through FEMA. Help with damaged tree care is also being provided by local authorities, along with a a joint effort at reforestation by local aborist gurus Tree Folks.
Wimberley is of course one of our favorite little Hill Country towns, so we’ll be sure to keep you posted on developments as they occur.
