KERRVILLE, Texas — Disaster case managers have sprung back into action, helping residents reset after another flood in Kerrville.
“Many more homes were affected. But fortunately, less lives lost,” said disaster case manager Beth Palmer.
Another summer flood means the long recovery process continues in the Texas Hill Country.
“Families and individuals, their recovery was on track,” said Palmer. “And then to have this second one. And I think we were all so shocked and also just tired.”
Palmer says homes that have never flooded before did this time around.
“More than 1,000 households that we’re going to need to help and walk beside,” said Palmer.
With two major floods in just 12 months, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country sent $1.6 million in grants to four nonprofits across the region, including Catholic Charities San Antonio serving Uvalde County, Hill Country Family Services in Boerne, Texas, and the Hill Country Community Needs Council in Fredericksburg. These organizations are providing neighbors with immediate emergency assistance.
“Folks that were impacted can use for whatever they need to use it for,” said Palmer. “If they need to use it to buy sheetrock, if they need to use it to buy flooring, if they need to use it to pay a utility bill.”
The majority, $1.2 million, of that funding went to Light on the Hill in Kerrville. As outreach manager, Palmer says every week they put money into neighbors’ hands.
“The amount of funding per household is between $500 and $1,500,” said Palmer.
So far, more than $830,000 in relief has been distributed across seven counties. In a month, about 870 flood-affected households have received help, including over 630 families in Kerr County as of Sept. 3.
Palmer says more people are completing the needs assessment every day.
“More people are realizing, I can’t recover myself, I’m going to need some help,” said Palmer.
After the deadly 2025 flooding, case managers were already trained and ready to go. Every Thursday, hundreds of families get a check or a prepaid debit card to help them on their recovery journey.
“People that are scheduled are bringing their neighbors and their family members, saying ‘hey, you can get some help,’” said Palmer. “And so we’re able to help them do that needs assessment if they haven’t done that yet.”
With many people lacking flood insurance, every bit helps.
“Everybody gets a different amount based on number in the household and vulnerabilities,” said Palmer. “So, this is some privacy. And also, for some, it’s very emotional.”
Palmer says the goal is to distribute all those funds by the end of September.
“People in our community are so resilient, and neighbors helping neighbors,” said Palmer.
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