UVALDE — For the past six years, Aracely Balderas has lived in northeast Uvalde, where the creek behind her home was typically dry. However, on Thursday morning, as she monitored her home camera feed from her parents’ house, she was taken aback to see two feet of water flooding her property. Having never witnessed flooding in her neighborhood, let alone from the creek, Balderas struggled to comprehend the extent of the disaster. “It’s something that you don’t really know the magnitude to it until you’re actually in that position,” she remarked.
Balderas was not alone in her plight; numerous homes were affected by the severe flooding that struck Thursday morning, causing Uvalde to nearly become isolated, as described by Governor Greg Abbott. The rushing waters exposed house foundations, forced open garage doors, and dislodged air conditioning units. As families began assessing the damage on Friday, many expressed disbelief that such devastating flooding could occur in their South Texas town.
Uvalde experienced torrential rain over a three-day period, with certain areas receiving more than two feet of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service. One gauge in Uvalde County recorded over ten inches on Tuesday night, followed by an additional six inches on Thursday morning. The nearby Nueces River gauge surged above major flood stage at 17 feet by Wednesday afternoon, peaking at 28 feet on Thursday evening, surpassing the previous record of nearly 25 feet set in 1996. The river remained above flood stage until Friday morning, scattering debris and flooding homes in the process.
Fortunately, the city had a preparedness plan in place. Balderas’ neighborhood was evacuated on Wednesday evening before water from the nearby Nueces and Leona rivers began to rise. Initially hesitant to leave when officers first knocked, Balderas changed her mind after their urgent return two hours later.
Kimberly Rubio’s family, however, was caught off guard when law enforcement arrived at their door, urging them to evacuate before the floodwaters reached their home. They quickly gathered essentials and, most importantly, a backpack containing drawings from her daughter Lexi, who lost her life in the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting. “That’s what we grabbed. Everything else doesn’t matter,” Rubio said.
Upon returning home Thursday evening, Rubio waded through the water to evaluate the damage before leaving again to avoid the anticipated flooding that night. By Friday afternoon, she and family friends were discarding ruined furniture and marking wooden windowsills that would need replacement.
The community response to the disaster was remarkable. Families, neighbors, and fellow residents from the approximately 15,000-strong city came together to assist with cleanup efforts, providing food and support. Aracely Balderas shared a photo captured by her home camera during the flood, reflecting the chaos experienced.
Delia Matas spent Friday cleaning the first floor of her family home, which was partially destroyed by floodwaters, with the help of distant relatives and even strangers. Local children volunteered to inspect clothes for salvageable items while Matas sorted through the debris. “It’s so hard without help,” she stated, expressing gratitude for the community support. Like Balderas, Matas was astonished that the creek and Leona River could rise so dramatically to reach their homes.
Despite the devastation, daily life must continue. Balderas, a registered nurse, was immediately reminded of her work responsibilities after witnessing her home inundated with floodwater. She found solace in knowing she could still contribute, especially as the flooding impeded some of her coworkers from reaching the hospital. “You don’t know until you’re actually put in those positions,” Balderas reflected. “I’m like, there’s really nothing else. Just pray and work for now.”
