KERR COUNTY, Texas — It is almost the one year anniversary of the July 4 floods in Kerr County, which killed dozens and left a wake of physical destruction.
“While we’re at the 10-month mark, and we’ve done so much, there’s so much more to do,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
Rebuilding Kerr County has taken time and community contribution.
“More grace from the community,” suggested one case worker. “That patience from the community that things are going to get better.”
After last July’s flood, nonprofits sprung into action to get the community back on its feet.
“In this last year, we’ve had a lot of moments of darkness,” said another case worker. “But there have been incredible moments of light. And if we just seek out that light, we’re going to see that over and over and over again.”
After months of pouring into others, case managers and community leaders gathered to reflect on the progress and process the various stages of community recovery together.
“[We’ve] given grants to 452 small businesses here in the Kerrville area, $7.1 million,” said Adrian Gonzalez with the Lift Fund.
Donations totaling over $150 million went to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to help after the flood.
“Now families are coming home,” Dickson said. “Homes are being rebuilt. Mental health services are being provided, both locally in Kerr County and statewide.”
Dickson said they’ve been able to make long-term investments in Kerr County by giving away nearly $65 million in grants and supporting over 100 nonprofits, more than 500 businesses and over a thousand families.
“We closed on that house March 6,” said flood survivor Valerie Mares. “And this is the shirt I escaped the flood in. This is the shirt I wore to the house closing. And now I’m wearing it to share my story.”
The Community Foundation recently granted $14 million to organizations committed to repairing public green spaces along the river.
“Fifty-two percent of all trees and vegetation of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County were destroyed in the flood, which makes the river now more dangerous and more prone to flooding,” Dickson said.
Over $9 million is going towards rebuilding the Kerrville River Trail, Guadalupe Park and Louis Hays Park.
“Louis Hays Park is the center of town,” Dickson said. “The splash pad was destroyed. A playground was destroyed. So many amenities need to be rebuilt.”
The one year flood anniversary will be an emotional time in Kerr County. Dickson said this community deserves to fully recover.
“It’s also a time to cement the future,” Dickson said. “And a lot of our investments here at the Community Foundation are going to last for years to come.”