Kindness in the Wreckage: Inside the Recovery From Kerrville's Second Devastating Flood

Once again, a small Texas community is leaning on each other to get through a natural disaster. Read on for how kindness, toughness, and a willingness to help your neighbor are helping the town to get through another devastating flooding event.

Community of Kerrville Forced to Deal with Second Deadly Flooding Event

The town of Kerrville, Texas, is no stranger to catastrophe. Just one year ago, a historic flood killed over 100 people. The community in the Hill Country was hit by yet another major flood last week.

Two people died in the flooding event that unfolded on July 16 as heavy rain swept through the central and southern portions of the Lone Star State. Several flash flood emergencies developed along the Guadalupe River, conjuring up memories of the July 4, 2025, flooding disaster. Included in the over 130 fatalities in 2025 were 25 young girls who drowned when the floodwaters swept away their summer camp cabin, leaving the state in mourning.

The community was just starting to rebuild from last year's tragedy when the floodwaters raged again last week. Two people died this time around. John Mark Steward was home alone when his house was ripped from its foundation and sent into the floodwaters.

Steward's wife, Jennie, is now grieving both the loss of her husband and her home. Her community is rallying around her, helping to raise money and rebuild her life. When speaking to the media, Steward praised her community, saying, “Our garden, our memories, everything material is gone, but we have our friends, our church and our community. I could not be in a better place for this to have happened.”

Another person died in the city of Uvalde, a community still recovering from the tragic 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School. In addition to the fatality, dozens of homes were destroyed in last week's flooding.