In response to recent severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, local businesses have played a key role in supporting affected communities. Residents, volunteers, and companies provided immediate assistance through donations and direct aid. However, business leaders are calling for continued support as recovery efforts move from emergency relief to long-term rebuilding.
Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, and Justen Noakes, executive director of BeforeDuringAfter, emphasized the importance of ongoing corporate involvement. “This is the kind of community spirit we’ve come to expect in Texas—but as cleanup has transitioned to long-term recovery, the road ahead requires continued and intentional support from every corner of the state,” they stated.
The business community’s response included actions such as H-E-B mobilizing its disaster response unit with mobile kitchens and direct aid for families. Local restaurants like P. Terry’s and Kerbey Lane contributed proceeds to flood relief efforts. Additionally, businesses supported organizations like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation in their commitment to recovery.
Bentley and Noakes highlighted that many small businesses struggle after disasters: “FEMA estimates that 40 percent of small businesses never reopen after a natural disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates the number is closer to 90 percent. That’s not just a statistic—that’s a warning.”
They advocated for sustained corporate philanthropy: “At Texas Mutual Insurance Company and BeforeDuringAfter, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic giving and long-term planning can ease the burden on communities, and especially businesses, recovering from disaster.” They encouraged all businesses—regardless of size—to integrate social responsibility into their operations by supporting relief funds or partnering with nonprofits.
The authors also stressed collaboration with local leaders: “The most effective recovery efforts are those led by communities themselves, and businesses should follow their lead.” They urged companies already engaged in philanthropy to maintain their commitment while encouraging others to begin building social responsibility into their culture.
“Recovery from these floods will take years,” they concluded. “Let’s not let the momentum fade. And let’s make sure that our support doesn’t come with an expiration date.”
