It’s been one year since the devastating floods that swept through Central Texas during July 4 weekend. The catastrophic disaster caused more than 130 deaths, with the majority of fatalities reported in Kerr County, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic. At least 11 campers are still unaccounted for, and volunteer fire chief Michael Philips of Marble Falls remains missing.
The disaster was the result of torrential rainfall over the region, which was already suffering from a severe drought. According to ABC News, the rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes, the second-highest level on record. This led to a flash flood emergency in the area.
The First 72 Hours
The Salvation Army's response began within hours of the flooding. Mobile feeding units were deployed to Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt to provide food and hydration to displaced residents and to first responders conducting search-and-rescue operations. Relief trucks carrying cleanup kits, hygiene supplies and food boxes followed within days.
In that initial window, 725 households and 1,355 individuals received immediate food, clothing and personal assistance. Fourteen Emotional & Spiritual Care specialists were also deployed, making more than 3,200 care contacts with survivors grappling with trauma, uncertainty and grief.
"We're known for meeting physical needs," Kathy Clark, Texas Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army, said, "but it's the emotional and spiritual care that often leaves the biggest impact."
Thousands of volunteers worked over several weeks to sort, store, and distribute basic-needs items and supplies, with partner organizations, including the San Antonio Food Bank and local and state Emergency Management agencies, helping manage the flow of goods.
The Numbers, One Year Later
More than 10,000 individuals applied for assistance through FEMA's Individual Assistance Program in the wake of the floods. The Salvation Army has since provided direct aid to roughly 1,700 families — about 6,000 individuals, ranging from emergency essentials to building supplies, furniture and appliances. In direct financial aid alone, the organization has distributed $1.17 million.
That aid isn't automatic. Families work through case managers affiliated with local long-term recovery groups, which The Salvation Army partners with directly. The central requirement, according to Clark, is that the family or individual be verified as disaster-affected.
Today, that recovery work looks less like emergency response and more like construction and casework. People are in need of foundation repairs and home rebuilding, building supplies, appliances and furniture, and mobile homes or travel trailers for residents who still have nowhere permanent to live. The Salvation Army continues that work through its ongoing partnerships across the region.
"Recovery isn't over when the waters recede," Clark said. "Emotional scars, lost homes, and broken routines can take months or years to rebuild. We remain in affected communities long after the headlines fade."
That timeline, she said, is measured in years, not months.
"The disaster doesn't end for these families once everyone goes home. These families will be dealing with trying to recover for years, and they will need assistance long after the event is over."
Looking Ahead
As families continue rebuilding, The Salvation Army is preparing for its next round of community support: back-to-school outreach in August. The organization has purchased nearly 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for children in flood-affected communities, aiming to ease financial pressure on parents who are still recovering financially while giving children a sense of normalcy as the new school year begins.
Clark said financial donations remain the most effective way for the public to help, since they allow The Salvation Army to tailor assistance to each family's specific needs.
Donations can be made at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.