2026 Disaster Response:

Victoria County Tornado

Southwestern Texas Synod, Victoria County Emergency Management, and United Way partnered together to begin gathering volunteers and coordinating relief efforts for the Placedo community following the May 1 tornado.

We also want to say thank you to Lyondell Basell for signing up volunteers and bringing supplies, Niagara Bottling for water donations supporting both the community and volunteers, and the Salvation Army for supplying lunch for the volunteers during recovery efforts.



Thank you to everyone stepping up to serve our neighbors in need.

Bryce Kennedy, Innovator for Resiliency and Preparedness

Training Options:

• Muck and Gut training
• Mental Health First Aid
• Community Preparedness Toolkit

Ways to assist:

• Make a Donation to the SWT Disaster Fund
• Make a Donation to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response
• Synod work days (will be organized and promoted through eNews as needed)
• Spiritual/emotional support through on-site prayer, with comfort bags, etc.
• We understand you want to help, but there are common ways like sending clothes or stuffed animals that are less helpful.

How well is my congregation prepared for a disaster?

• Where are our legal documents and church records kept?
• Who knows where/how to turn off water/power to the building?
• What is the contact information for our insurance?

For more information and how you can help,
contact Bryce Kennedy 830-379-9900 x14.