Remembering the Texas Hill Country: One Year After the Devastating Flood

Last summer, on the Fourth of July, the Texas Hill Country experienced relentless flooding. By the next morning, 139 individuals were reported missing, with 119 from Kerr County alone. Many of these people were not just residents; they were neighbors, friends, and visitors drawn to the area’s beauty.

This anniversary is particularly poignant for countless families, including mine. The floods changed lives, leaving lasting emotional scars and a sense of loss that still lingers. For some, this month marks anniversaries they wished had never happened. Empty chairs at dinner tables serve as reminders of what’s been sacrificed, and various locations—roads, camps, rivers—are forever tied to these memories.

For us, this year symbolizes both grief and recovery. It has been a year since we realized how quickly disasters can strike and how drawn-out the recovery process can be. It demands everything you have, if you’re fortunate enough to still have something to give.

Immediately following the floods, neighbors helped each other out. Ordinary people became heroes, embodying the spirit of community. Organizations stepped up, and one in particular helped to raise over $7 million from a national audience within a week. This generosity, alongside support from countless other donors, has been pivotal in helping families return home, reopen businesses, enhance mental health services, and fortify communities throughout Kerr County. This kindness laid the groundwork for the arduous journey of rebuilding we faced over the past year.

Recovery takes many forms. It’s about families coming back to homes that once smelled of river mud. It’s about a woman reopening her father’s store and standing there, waiting for the first customer. It’s the child who, thanks to therapy, can finally sleep through thunderstorms.

Throughout the Hill Country, there’s been a collective effort: families, volunteers, nonprofits, churches, local businesses, government agencies, and mental health professionals have worked tirelessly to rebuild. Most families who were affected are now back in permanent residences, with many businesses also reopening. There’s a sense of hope—community spaces are being renovated, and activities like Little League games are returning. New trees are taking root where the flood had taken so much away.

Signs of improvement extend beyond personal stories. Local sales tax collections have consistently risen over the past nine months, a clear indicator that as families settle back into their routines, local commerce thrives as well.

While the flood caused visible devastation, the emotional toll is often less apparent. Many residents across the Hill Country and even wider Texas have sought counseling and mental health resources in the wake of the disaster.

Despite the passing of time, sadness remains. Families continue to grapple with personal healing that often falls outside conventional support systems. This task feels urgent—almost as vital as rebuilding physical structures. Communities that focus solely on rebuilding buildings may overlook the essential need for emotional recovery.

Not everyone is at home yet. Unresolved questions linger, and feelings of inequity in recovery are common. Such a disaster can create deep wounds, and it’s clear that our community’s true recovery won’t be measured by consensus but by our commitment to support one another, regardless of differing perspectives.

A year has passed, and there’s noticeable progress. Homes are being filled again, healing is taking place, and community bonds are strengthening. Yet, the process is ongoing—it’s far from complete. The Hill Country is making strides thanks to the dedication of its residents: some near, others from across Texas, and even those who traveled from afar. Together, they remind us that in our darkest times, we are never truly alone.

What struck me most was the resilience displayed by the local community—not just by newcomers but by those who have remained steadfast. Their efforts in rebuilding homes, coaching teams, and simply showing up are acts of true courage.

This community stayed united through adversity, and that’s a remarkable achievement in itself.