Communities across Kerr and Uvalde counties are beginning to grasp the scale of destruction left behind by last week’s historic flooding, after days of record-setting rainfall triggered widespread damage. With floodwaters now receded, officials and residents say it is still too early to calculate a total price tag, but the financial toll could ultimately reach well into the billions.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management says, “Initial damage assessments are underway. When it is safe to do so, Texans who sustained damage to homes and businesses as a result of severe storms and flooding are encouraged to report their damages using our Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov.
Reporting damage information through the online survey helps officials connect impacted Texans with resources and services. It also allows officials to gain an understanding of the extent of damage that occurred and identify community needs. Additionally, once those damages are reported to the state, officials can determine whether they meet the federally-set thresholds for various forms of federal disaster assistance,”
In Kerrville, teams were out assessing damage and working to understand what recovery will require. Floodwaters tore through neighborhoods and commercial areas, damaging homes and businesses across the city.
Kerrville officials also warned of a sewer overflow near Highway 27 and Water Street. They urged people to avoid contact with Town Creek and downstream areas of the Guadalupe River toward Louise Hays Park until further notice.
At Gibson’s Discount Store, a longtime Kerrville fixture, store manager Doug Hetzler said the work of accounting for losses is still underway.
“We took off almost 800 shelves, and every shelf had how about 1000s of items. We’re still going through it,” Hetzler said.
Hetzler said floodwaters also tore an air conditioning unit off the building, leaving the store vulnerable as water poured inside.
“It ripped the air conditioner off, and that left a gaping hole in the side of the building, and that’s how all the water got in,” he said.
Amid the devastation, residents have also stepped up to help one another. Local chef Luis Baquro and owner of Off Main Brewing brought trays of food to support neighbors as they cleaned up.
“It’s a natural thing. It’s an instinct that we have to help each other, that’s a community, that’s how far we go. I do it from my heart, bottom of my heart,” Baquro said.
Baquro says they will be organizing a lemonade stand to aid flood victims.
“This year we’re doing it again. This Friday we’re gonna have a lemonade stand with pretzels, cinnamon pretzels, and lemonade. We’re gonna donate it for all the victims that are affected by the flood. Come and join us at our business located at 703 Water Street,”
In Uvalde County, officials are facing major repair work after the FM 481 bridge collapsed. No timeline has been announced for repairs or how much it will cost to rebuild. Dozens of homes in the area were also underwater, leaving residents with questions about what the next few months will look like.
The losses from last year’s flood were estimated to be between $18 billion and $22 billion. A full breakdown of the cost from this year’s flood is expected to take time.