Kerr County residents are engaged in a significant cleanup effort this month following a devastating flood, marking the second such disaster in two years. This time, however, local nonprofits and community leaders are expressing concerns as they confront greater damage with diminished financial support and fewer volunteers compared to the previous year.
As of Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had yet to approve federal assistance for individuals or local governments, including Kerr County, which is reportedly grappling with a potential budget shortfall of $8 million, as noted by the Kerrville Daily Times.
By Monday, the state had received 1,501 damage survey submissions, which included 47 structures classified as destroyed and 310 that sustained major damage, according to Shorey Harmon, the newly appointed emergency management coordinator for Kerr County. In addition to the physical damage incurred, economic losses are anticipated as the flood disrupts tourism during the peak summer season.
Jeff Byard, chief program officer for the veteran-led organization Team Rubicon, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is a new flood. This isn’t last year’s flood. People need help, and organizations need the support of partners and individuals.”
Many county officials and residents have noted that the public response this year has not matched the outpouring of support seen following last year’s flood, which gained international media attention after claiming 119 lives, including 27 girls swept away by the Guadalupe River at Camp Mystic. Last year’s tragedy prompted benefit concerts featuring stars like Robert Earl Keen and Miranda Lambert, resulting in a surge of resources for the community.
This year’s flooding resulted in one death in Kerr County and affected a much larger area, yet the media coverage and fundraising efforts have not reached the same levels. Business owners and families are now faced with the arduous task of clearing out homes and businesses filled with mud and debris, often for the second time.
During a commissioners court meeting on July 27, Kerr County Commissioner Jeff Holt voiced his frustration, asking, “Where are all the volunteers this year, compared to last?” The meeting was relocated to the Kerrville Municipal Court building due to flood damage to the county courthouse.
The city of Kerrville has estimated $30 million in infrastructure damage to its water treatment plant, sewage lift stations, roads, and bridges, according to Mayor Joe Herring. In addition, the county has seen damage to its roads and bridges, necessitating the relocation of staff from the courthouse, as noted by County Judge Rob Kelly.
Local sports teams, residents who experienced last year’s floods, and some volunteer organizations have been providing meals and assisting with the cleanup. However, other philanthropic groups have reported a decline in donations compared to the previous year.
Nathan Rich, a 24-year-old mechanic from Center Point, experienced the flood firsthand when it struck on July 4, 2025. He and his wife only managed to grab a few essentials before evacuating. They had reopened their shop with the help of volunteers after last year’s flood, and were in the process of buying a new home when this year’s flood hit.
The flood ruined Rich’s power tools, office equipment, and home appliances, which had been donated by the Zac Brown Band after last year’s disaster. With customers’ vehicles damaged and mud filling his shop, Rich and an employee began the daunting task of cleaning out their workspace. They felt overwhelmed until three volunteers arrived on Saturday to assist, lifting their spirits and enabling them to reopen by Monday.
“That made a huge difference,” Rich remarked. “It’s not even necessarily about the money. It’s about just showing that there are people who care.”
Within three days of the flood, around 250 small businesses sought assistance from LiftFund, which offered grants of up to $10,000 to help them rebuild. However, the organization had to close applications due to overwhelming demand, as noted by President and CEO Amy Hereford.
“They are hardworking, and they are humble human beings,” Hereford stated. “And they are tired, exhausted.” She added that while the community is known for supporting one another, they are in urgent need of assistance.
Liz Ayala, a 42-year-old clinical research coordinator from Austin, rushed to Monterey Street in Kerrville on July 16, finding neighbors unsure of how to respond after their homes flooded. Heavy rain hit the area that morning, causing creeks to overflow and inundate her family home.
Ayala’s grandmother had raised her mother in that house, and it held many cherished memories for Ayala. After her grandmother’s passing two years ago, her family moved in, and now they faced the daunting task of recovery.
With her grandmother’s home severely damaged, Ayala took on the responsibility of guiding her elderly neighbors through the recovery process, helping them complete damage forms and sharing information about available resources.
Alongside friends and family, Ayala began ripping out the ruined drywall and flooring from her home. They incurred expenses for debris removal, and her mother developed a cough likely due to the moldy air in the house.
During a city council meeting on July 22, Ayala implored local leaders for assistance, stating, “We haven’t received any kind of help, just us as neighbors doing it ourselves.” The following day, a volunteer group from Samaritan’s Purse arrived to assist with cleanup, allowing her family some much-needed respite.
“I don’t know what comes next,” Ayala admitted, expressing uncertainty about the future of their home and recovery efforts.
Mayor Herring, who visited Ayala’s home, acknowledged the significant need for assistance, stating, “There’s a lot more help needed. Where do they live while they’re waiting for their homes to be restored? What’s the next step?”
The only FEMA assistance to date has been for emergency measures, and it remains unclear if additional support will be forthcoming. Officials have been encouraging residents to report damages to the state to strengthen their case for aid.
Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz recently reached out to President Trump, urging him to approve more support, highlighting the considerable challenges faced by communities still recovering from past disasters.
Kerr County Commissioner Tom Jones reflected on the community’s resilience, quoting Psalms 34: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He acknowledged the emotional toll of the disaster while emphasizing the strength of the community.
At Audio Video Solutions, owner Kevin Grona described the extensive damage caused by the flood, which lifted his building, leaving it with a slanted water line. He lost significant inventory and may have to demolish the structure, leading to a severe financial setback.
Despite the challenges, Grona is determined to keep his business afloat, managing operations from home and coordinating shipments elsewhere.
Kerr County had made strides in preparing for potential flooding, having established a long-term group to address community recovery from the previous flood. However, the recent disaster struck while many were still in the rebuilding phase, as noted by Todd Bock, executive director of the Kerr Economic Development Corporation.
“What we have seen so far in preliminary data has given us enough concern to know that we don’t have enough resources where we are today,” Bock stated.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country launched a relief fund on the day of the recent flooding, similar to its response after the 2025 disaster. By June, it had distributed $82 million of the more than $150 million raised after last year’s flood. However, it has yet to provide updates on fundraising efforts for this year’s disaster.
Mercy Chefs, which had been preparing to vacate its leased kitchen, quickly resumed providing emergency meals in response to the latest crisis. “We will go into our cash reserves when we have to,” said CEO and Founder Gary LeBlanc, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to meeting community needs regardless of visibility or donor support.
Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized volunteers to assist with home cleanups, having completed 16 work orders in Kerrville and facing numerous additional requests. In contrast, Good360, which had previously provided significant aid, reported a lack of corporate donations for this go-round, attributing it to donor fatigue and limited national media coverage.
Justin Rumbo, a resident of the unincorporated neighborhood of Bumble Bee Hills, faced the challenge of gutting his home for a second time following this year’s flood, having previously rebuilt after the 2025 disaster. He and his neighbors are relying on each other for support, underscoring the community’s resilience in the face of adversity.
