‘You’ve got a friend in Friend’: Texas native now in Nebraska collects flood relief supplies

FRIEND, Neb. (KLKN) — For Buster Storey, the need to help his hometown of Kerrville, Texas, after devasting flash floods hit him like a ton of bricks Friday night.

“I was watching the news come in, and you know, I grew up there, and I couldn’t be there to help,” he said tearfully.

So Storey, who now lives in Friend, decided to take action and went to Facebook to ask for help.

Shortly after posting a request for donations on Monday, he set up along Highway 6 with a few cardboard boxes and waited.

The community delivered their support, and Storey said he’s not surprised.

“This community is really good about turning out and helping people and helping when needed,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas surpasses 100

Storey received essentials like clothes, shoes, first-aid supplies and even diapers from various organizations in and around Friend, such as HATS, a thrift store the local hospital.

Faith Lutheran Church in Seward provided care packages.

On the second day of collection, Storey highlighted the need for items like bug spray for first responders, which he is learning is a need from his family members in Texas.

“Everybody’s pitching in,” he said. “The local businesses are feeding people for free and housing first responders within the business.”

WATCH: Nebraska Task Force One speaks before deployment to Texas

He said people in the flooded areas are really pulling together to “help find people and get people reunited.”

Storey has decided not to ship the items received but rather take the 13-hour drive to Kerrville himself.

He plans to drop off most items off at the Red Cross of Central and South Texas, then make his way down the river to smaller towns that may not have been reached yet.

SEE ALSO: Gov. Jim Pillen deploys Nebraska Task Force One in response to Texas flooding

He will not be taking this journey alone.

Storey said he plans to bring his 11-year-old son with him because “it’s a good chance to educate him on how to take care of people when it’s time to take care of people.”