TEXAS — For more than a decade, Brian Olsen has owned Casita Blu, a vacation rental cabins company, in the Texas Hill Country. He started renting them out in 2014, though they were built in 1934.

In 2022, Olsen opened kennels called Paws on the River for a pet-friendly resort stay. Olsen leaned into agritourism, getting animals like a white Scottish Highland cow. 

But then the July Fourth floods last year changed everything. There are over 2,000 vacation rental properties across Kerr County, and those closest to the Guadalupe River sustained damaged.

“We’re so grateful,” Olsen said. “Those of us who lived.”

Eight months later, Olsen says thinking about July 4 is still triggering.

“When you lose everything in 45 minutes, it’s just a weird feeling to stand there in waist high water and realize everything you worked for is gone,” Olsen said.

The rebuild post-flood is a daily task for Olsen, but he hasn’t been alone on his road to recovery.

“I’ve been so fortunate with the friends, family and nonprofits that have helped us recover,” Olsen said. “It’s just been amazing.”

Olsen, whose own home had to be stripped down to the studs, has been able to open a few of his cabins to renters. 

“Now we’re putting doorways out the back so if we ever have high water again, there will be safe exits,” Olsen said.

Going from ankle to waist deep water is something Olsen says no one could anticipate. But the next time tragedy hits Texas, he’s ready to pitch in. 

“Next time there’s a tragedy, I know what to do,” Olsen said. “Load up your truck, some tools, a generator and skills and show up and help some people. I had helpers here within hours on the water receding, and it really did make a difference.” 

For the rental business, Olsen says recovery could take a year or two. In the “Hill Country Strong” spirit, he believes they will build it back better.

“It is better. Everybody around here, their homes are coming back better,” Olsen said. “Their businesses are coming back better. It just goes to show that when something dies, how it can regrow.”