Texas Churches Rally After Deadly Floods Shatter Hill Country Calm
KERRVILLE, Texas – A festive weekend in the Texas Hill Country turned to horror when sudden floods along the Guadalupe River claimed at least 89 lives, leaving communities in shock and sorrow.
The flood struck hard on the Fourth of July. For many, it was meant to be a day of rest and family. Instead, it became one of the darkest in Kerrville’s history. Local pastor Joey Tombrella of First Baptist Church said the tragedy hit hard because of the area’s reputation for peace and beauty.
“People come here to relax camp, watch fireworks, spend time together,” he said. “No one expected it to end like this.”
Among the worst affected was Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp located near the riverbank. The camp confirmed the loss of 27 lives, including campers and counsellors. Dick Eastland, who led the camp alongside his wife since 1974, was among the victims. Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh, daughter of a Samford University professor, also perished in the disaster.
Texas Baptist Disaster Relief teams, along with volunteers from Oklahoma, have begun recovery efforts. Food stations, generators, and clean-up crews are now operating in the affected zones. Robert Wheat, director of missions for the Hill Country Baptist Association, reported steady support from nearby churches and volunteers.
“There’s a lot of pain, but also a lot of love pouring in,” Wheat said. “Our churches have responded with everything from manpower to prayers.”
The town faced another evacuation scare on Sunday due to forecasts of more rain, but conditions improved. Despite that, the work ahead remains overwhelming. Clean-up has started, but several families are still missing loved ones.
Pastor Tombrella began receiving calls before dawn on Friday from city officials. “They just said, ‘It’s bad, Joey. Worse than we’ve seen,’” he recalled.
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Though floods are not uncommon in the region, residents say this one was unprecedented. According to federal data, the Guadalupe River surged from a gentle 7 feet to more than 37 feet within hours.
Many families have lost everything. Homes have been swept away. Yet church members are staying quiet about their own losses, choosing instead to focus on those grieving.
“They’re hurting but don’t want to make it about themselves,” said Tombrella. “In the coming weeks, our biggest job will be to offer hope and share the love of Christ.”
Churches have transformed into relief hubs, offering space for displaced families and reunification. Not every family was reunited with the living. Tombrella spent Saturday offering support at various centres some filled with grief no words could ease.
Meanwhile, Baptist congregations from outside Kerrville are sending aid. In Victoria, the Guadalupe Baptist Association is joining the effort. One church group, E320 Church, delivered water supplies after losing someone they knew in the flood. Others, like Parkway Baptist, are collecting essential items to donate.
Walter Jackson, director of missions for the Victoria-based association, said churches are eager to help however they can. “People are stepping up. They want to be part of the healing,” he said.
Even as the national spotlight fades, local churches are preparing for the long haul. The grief may take months to process. The rebuilding will take even longer.
“There’s a lot to do,” said Tombrella. “But there’s also a lot of faith here. And where there’s faith, there’s still hope
Content Credit: Dada Blessing
Image Credit: Biblical recorder.com
