Report on Flood Recovery Efforts in Tom Green County and San Angelo

Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in Disaster Response

Following the devastating floods of July 4, a coordinated recovery effort has been initiated in Tom Green County and San Angelo. The response, triggered by a Major Disaster Declaration, aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on building resilient communities, alleviating poverty, and ensuring public well-being through strong institutional partnerships.

Institutional Collaboration and Partnership (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

The recovery is a testament to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). A multi-agency coalition is actively managing the response, demonstrating effective and inclusive institutional action at all levels.

Key Collaborating Entities:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• San Angelo Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
• San Angelo Area Foundation
• Galilee CDC
• Local government, non-profits, faith-based groups, and volunteer organizations

Comprehensive Support Infrastructure for Community Resilience (SDG 11)

To create a sustainable and resilient community (SDG 11), a centralized support system has been established to assist affected residents.

Damage Resource Center (DRC)

A one-stop Damage Resource Center has been relocated to the Concho Valley Transit annex building at 506 N. Chadbourne St., operating from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center provides critical services that support various SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Assistance with FEMA applications, individual assistance paperwork, and information on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to restore livelihoods.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Provision of translation services to ensure equitable access for non-English speakers.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Information on emergency housing options and guidance on utility assistance.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Intake services that connect individuals to a network of local support agencies.

Financial Recovery and Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1)

Immediate and long-term financial support is critical to addressing the economic impact of the disaster, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Community Fundraising

The San Angelo Area Foundation is leading financial recovery efforts, having raised over $1 million from approximately 800 individual donations. An emergency grant program is in development to distribute these funds to affected residents.

Federal Financial Assistance

With the Major Disaster Declaration, residents are now eligible for FEMA individual assistance support. The distribution of these emergency grants is pending, with further information to be released.

Health, Environmental Restoration, and Climate Resilience (SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 13)

Cleanup and restoration efforts are paramount for protecting public health, restoring essential services, and building resilience against future climate-related hazards (SDG 13).

Coordinated Cleanup Operations

Galilee CDC is overseeing cleanup efforts, using data from Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) surveys to identify properties in need. This work directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by mitigating health risks from contaminated floodwaters.

Approved Cleaning Organizations:

1. TLC in San Angelo
2. Rubicon
3. Samaritans
4. Minutemen Disaster Relief
5. God’s Pit Crew
6. Texans on Mission

Provision of Essential Services

The response ensures access to basic necessities, a cornerstone of community health and stability.

• Food and Supplies: The Concho Valley Regional Food Bank is providing food assistance, while the Concho Valley Turning Point warehouse is distributing essential household items.
• Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Local utility companies have agreed not to disconnect services for affected residents, ensuring continued access to clean water and sanitation.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article addresses the financial and material hardship faced by residents due to the floods. Efforts to provide financial assistance through FEMA and the San Angelo Area Foundation, as well as support for rebuilding lives, directly relate to alleviating the poverty and vulnerability caused by the disaster.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The provision of food assistance is explicitly mentioned. The article states that the “Concho Valley Regional Food Bank will be a facility providing food assistance,” which connects the disaster response to ensuring people have access to food during a crisis.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The core of the article focuses on making a community resilient after a natural disaster. It discusses disaster response, providing emergency housing options, cleaning up homes and businesses, and establishing resource centers to help the affected population recover from a water-related disaster, which are key components of this goal.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article deals with the aftermath of a devastating flood, a climate-related extreme event. The entire response, from the presidential Major Disaster Declaration to the local cleanup efforts, is an example of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership to tackle the crisis. It describes the collaboration between federal government agencies (FEMA), local government, non-profits (San Angelo Area Foundation, Galilee CDC), faith-based groups, businesses, and volunteer organizations, all working together under the umbrella of the San Angelo Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD).

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.

   • The article details the response to the “devastating floods on July 4,” a climate-related extreme event. The establishment of the Damage Resource Center and the provision of FEMA assistance are direct actions to build the resilience of the affected residents, who are in a vulnerable situation.

2. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   • The article mentions that the “Concho Valley Regional Food Bank will be a facility providing food assistance” to those impacted by the flood, directly addressing the need for food access for people in a vulnerable situation.

3. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

   • The entire article is about mitigating the impact on “Tom Green County and San Angelo residents who were affected” by a water-related disaster (flood). The efforts to provide financial aid, housing support, and cleanup services aim to reduce the economic and social losses for the affected population.

4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   • The coordinated response involving FEMA, COAD, and various local and national organizations demonstrates an effort to strengthen the community’s resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of a flood. The creation of a “comprehensive, one-stop resource for flood survivors” is a clear example of building this capacity.

5. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   • The article describes a partnership model in action. The COAD is a coalition of “nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, faith-based groups and volunteer organizations.” This collaboration between public (FEMA), private, and civil society sectors is central to the recovery effort.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Financial assistance raised and distributed

   The article explicitly mentions that the San Angelo Area Foundation “has already raised over $1 million through 800 individual donations.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of the financial resources mobilized for recovery, relevant to Targets 1.5 and 11.5.

2. Number of people and households receiving assistance

   While a total number is not given, the article implies this is a key metric. It mentions that residents “can now apply for FEMA individual assistance support” and that data from surveys is being used to “compile a comprehensive list of homes that still require cleaning.” The number of people using the Damage Resource Center would be a direct indicator.

3. Establishment and utilization of support infrastructure

   The creation of the “Damage Resource Center at the Concho Valley Transit annex building” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress. Its utilization rate (number of people served) would be a quantitative measure of its effectiveness in implementing Targets 1.5, 11.5, and 13.1.

4. Number and diversity of partners involved in the response

   The article lists numerous organizations involved in the partnership, including “FEMA,” “COAD,” “Galilee CDC,” “TLC in San Angelo, Rubicon, Samaritans, Minutemen Disaster Relief, God’s Pit Crew and Texans on Mission.” This list serves as an indicator of a multi-stakeholder partnership as described in Target 17.17.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: gosanangelo.com