On a spring evening marked by gratitude and celebration, two neighboring families returned home side by side. The homes of the Martinez family and their daughter Maria Kitchens’ family sit next to one another, and their shared Welcome Home gathering reflected not only the closeness of their houses, but the closeness of their lives. What happened on July 4, 2025, would forever bind their stories together.
That morning, Maria Kitchens was heavily pregnant with her second daughter, who would later arrive a few weeks later, in early October. Around 7:15 a.m., her husband, Cade, noticed rising water outside. Floodwaters had never crossed the road in front of their home before, but this time they already were. At first, the danger did not seem fully clear. Maria was receiving calls and texts from coworkers asking if she was safe, but she still believed everything would be alright. Moments later, the situation changed dramatically.
She stepped outside, and began venturing toward the front fence to look at the front yard, but Cade urgently called for her to come back. In only seconds, water surged across the road and into their yard. The family quickly packed a small bag for their young daughter and hoped to escape in their truck, but by the time they reached it, water was already over the tires. They realized they would have to flee on foot.
As the water rose, Maria called her parents next door, urging them to wake up and leave with them. At first, they hesitated, but after several tense moments they agreed. Together, the extended family made their way across the pasture behind their homes toward higher ground. They climbed into a small treehouse and waited there for four to five long hours.
Inside that cramped refuge were Maria and Cade, their daughter, Maria’s parents, two dogs, and a great deal of uncertainty. It was hot, uncomfortable, and frightening. None of them knew what they would find when the floodwaters finally receded.
When they were able to return, both homes had suffered damage. Maria and Cade’s home had taken on enough water to ruin flooring, walls, and all of the HVAC ductwork beneath the house, leaving them without air conditioning for months. Next door, only the front portion of the Martinez home was damaged, while the back half remained livable. Even so, what happened next spoke volumes about the family’s character.
Beginning July 5, the Martinez home became a place of shelter and service. Though recovering from their own losses, they opened their doors to first responders, firefighters, volunteer crews, members of the Cajun Navy, and helpers who came from across Texas and even from Mexico. In the middle of the July 4 flood disaster, they chose hospitality.
Maria’s own recovery journey required patience and resilience. Her family lived in an Airbnb for two and a half months and also stayed with her parents for a season. They briefly moved back home, but mold made it unsafe and caused health issues. Through the support of the Community Foundation, they received temporary housing while repairs continued.
Habitat for Humanity helped complete many of the home repairs, while Cade personally tackled demolition and rebuilding work himself. ARC later helped furnish the home and bring warmth back into each room. Maria especially loved creating a joyful shared bedroom for her daughters, filled with pink touches and bows.
She also spoke with deep appreciation for her case manager, Emily, who guided her through what felt like endless paperwork—not only for her own family, but for her parents as well. Having someone walk beside her through each form, deadline, and next step brought clarity and comfort during an overwhelming season.
Maria was also thankful for the support of her employer, Kerwin, who helped connect her to the Community Foundation and the recovery process early on.
The Martinez family was able to gather everyone back in their repaired home for Thanksgiving. Maria and Cade returned to their completed home in mid-February. Today, both families stand as a picture of perseverance, generosity, and hope.
Their story is a reminder that recovery is not only about rebuilding houses. It is about neighbors helping neighbors, families carrying one another, and communities showing up when it matters most. Sometimes the strongest foundation is not concrete at all—it is love next door.
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