UPDATE: Tim Surratt told KVUE that his brother has been found safe.
ORIGINAL STORY: Through devastation and destruction, images and video of people contributing to flood-relief and search efforts have become the norm.
"On Monday, morning I decided I wanted to do something to help," said Tim Surratt, who lives in Austin.
Surratt is currently stranded here in Austin, unable to return home due to dangerous road conditions and closures.
That hasn't derailed his desire to help his fellow Houstonians.
"I Googled the Red Cross, went through their little program, got approved, background checked and everything. And I've been volunteering here the last two days," Suratt explained.
Since he can't be back in Houston to help, Surratt said this is the next closest thing.
"It's the worst thing ever because I love Houston so much, and I want to be there, and I want to help. I want to help my fellow Houstonians, I want to be in the trenches, I want to be in the water. Whatever it takes to help them. And I'm unable to do that - that's why I'm doing American Red Cross volunteering right now. So at least I can help, instead of just standing by watching the news," Surratt.
Surratt's home hasn't been damaged, but he's facing a far more serious problem.
"I'm barely holding up, to be honest with you. It's everything I can do to keep from crying at this moment. On top of that, I do have a homeless brother and he is missing," said Surratt.
Surratt has been unable to reach his brother Frank, and the widespread flooding has made the search increasingly difficult.
"The area where his homeless camp is was under 20 feet of water, so I just don't know where he is. I have people looking for him. If I was in Houston, I'd be able to look for him myself," said Surratt.
For now, Surratt is spending his time at LBJ High School in Austin, which has been transformed into a temporary Red Cross shelter for about 200 evacuees from throughout Texas.
"The emotional toll has been really rough. I've broken into tears, unexpectedly at random times. But helping out has been the best thing to keep myself sane," said Surratt, who said that the people he's met at the shelter have changed his life.
Late Tuesday, his friend Pam Reitz drove up to Austin from New Braunfels to donate goods.
"I just did a little thing. I came up to cheer up my friend, and I came to just bring a car full of stuff," said Reitz, who moved from Houston three years ago.
She brought diapers, sandals, underwear, and other important materials to help those in needs.
"I loaded up my car with things as I walked through the store that I thought I might need if I were stuck here, and didn't have my stuff," Reitz explained.
While Reitz's daughter and grandchildren - who still live in Houston - are safe, she said friends of hers haven't been as fortunate.
"Our best friend's daughter moved into a new house about two weeks ago, and she got a lot of water into it. What I always think about are the people that don't have a lot, and don't have insurance, and it just breaks my heart," said Reitz.
From much-needed supplies to much-needed support, Surratt and Reitz are simply giving whatever they can. Just two of countless examples, as Texans triumph over tragedy.