Five Good Things: Texas flood relief

Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for trying to aid crash victims 

The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Ashley Smith, from Cisco, Texas, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping and trying to help victims of an early morning crash in Arizona. Smith drives for Decker Truck Line out of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

On June 7, in Kingman, Arizona, around 2:15 a.m., Smith, a lease purchase operator for Decker Truck Line, Inc., arrived at the scene of a crash shortly after it had occurred. A car with two men was driving the wrong way on the highway and crashed head-on into a car with a man, woman, and three-year-old child. Smith positioned her vehicle, ensured her own safety, and jumped into action.

“I got out of the truck, I called 911,” Smith said. “The silver car basically started to catch fire and caught fire to the other one before anybody could get there.”

Smith tried to extinguish the fire and used her flashlight to try to alert drivers to the crash, putting herself at risk directing traffic.

“I didn’t want somebody to hit the two cars that were there, and in the process, I almost got hit by a semi that was not paying attention,” Smith said. “I had to dive off the highway.”

Unfortunately, all five people involved in the early morning crash were dead at the scene. Smith’s actions that day were not only selfless but also went unspoken—she did not report the incident to her team. It was only brought to light when law enforcement reached out to Decker Truck Line for possible dashcam footage. 

“I was just doing what I hoped anyone would do,” she said.

Amazon aids Texas communities mourning losses after devastating floods

As the full devastating impact of Texas flooding emerges, Amazon is working with relief partners to meet the needs of affected communities.

As search and rescue efforts continue, Amazon is coordinating with local partners on the ground to assess and meet emerging needs. 

Hours after the flooding, Amazon provided financial assistance to multiple nonprofit partners and coordinated the delivery of food and emergency supplies from Whole Foods Market to first responders and displaced survivors in Kerrville, Texas. The company’s partners in response have included:

• American Red Cross
• Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country
• The Johnson Center
• All Hands and Hearts
• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

WM commits $1M to flood relief in Central Texas

In response to floods in Central Texas, WM is committing $1 million to support ongoing relief and recovery efforts.

Texas is home to thousands of the company’s team members, customers, and neighbors. As they face the challenges brought by these historic floods, WM said that it remains dedicated to helping its community and all those impacted by the catastrophic flooding.

See also: Fleets Explained: Idling

AT&T contributes $200,000 to support communities affected by Texas floods

In response to the floods, AT&T is contributing $200k to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to help support the immediate and long-term recovery efforts as well as crisis response partners that are equipped and trained to respond in times of natural disaster.

“Our hearts go out to the Central Texas communities impacted by the recent devastation,” Leslie Ward, president of AT&T Southern Region, said. “We’re committed to supporting recovery efforts and helping ensure that residents and first responders maintain reliable connectivity during this challenging time.”

In addition, AT&T has deployed its Network Disaster Recovery team and FirstNet Response Operations Group to assist with recovery efforts in affected areas. FirstNet ROG—led by former first responders—is on the ground and guiding the deployment of dedicated FirstNet assets and other solutions based on public safety’s needs. As public safety’s partner, FirstNet, prioritizes first responders’ emergency communications needs to support their critical operations across the impacted areas.

To help impacted communities, AT&T is:

• Waiving overage charges to provide unlimited talk, text, and data for AT&T Postpaid & Prepaid customers with billing addresses in zip codes across affected areas from July 5 through August 3.
• Delivering connectivity supplies, including power strips, charging cables, and charging blocks, to the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
• AT&T and the non-profit Information Technology Disaster Resource Center have deployed their 40-ft. Mobile Connectivity Center at Schreiner University, located at 2100 Memorial Blvd., in Kerrville, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT beginning July 6. This connectivity resource is free to the public and will further support those affected by the floods with access to Wi-Fi, 16 computers, and facilities to charge their devices.
• Activated its Employee Relief Fund, operated by E4E Relief, a 501c3 public charity aimed at supporting employees impacted by disasters and facing personal hardships.

Toyota provides $600,000 for Texas flood relief

Toyota Motor North America is partnering with Toyota Financial Services, Gulf States Toyota, Southeast Toyota, Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne, and Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide, to provide a combined donation of more than $600,000 to support those impacted by the floods in Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country over the July 4th weekend. The group’s relief efforts include donations to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, along with matching contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteerism.

“When disasters like this occur, it’s important to help our neighbors and communities in their time of need,” Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America, said. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrible tragedy. Thank you to the first responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly to assist on the front lines.”

Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne, along with The Vic Vaughan Family Foundation, contributed to help jumpstart the response.

Toyota and its partners are working in a variety of ways to reach the greatest number of people affected by the flooding, summarized below:

• The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund supports relief and rebuilding efforts after the flood of July 4, 2025. The Fund will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.
• TFS/LFS is offering payment relief options to affected customers. This broad outreach includes any TFS or LFS customer in the designated disaster areas. 
• For eligible Toyota and Lexus dealers who want to contribute to relief efforts and charitable organizations of their choice tied to flood relief, TMNA will match their contribution up to $10,000.
• Toyota will double all team member contributions throughout the U.S. in support of disaster relief.
• Team members at the San Antonio manufacturing plant will collect clothing, essential supplies, food, and water donations in support of ongoing relief efforts.
• Gulf States Toyota employees, along with associates from across the portfolio of Friedkin-affiliated companies who choose to contribute to the relief efforts, will have their contributions matched.
• Toyota’s ongoing sustainable development commitments include the American Red Cross and St. Bernard Project. These organizations provide critical resources in disaster response and recovery nationwide, including the Texas Hill Country.