Struggling Texans residing in RVs feel the brunt of their lost dwellings, yet it's the void of camaraderie that causes the most agony
In the small town of Kerrville, Texas, the July 4, 2025 floods brought catastrophic destruction, particularly to the Guadalupe River that surged about 26-29 feet in under an hour. The heavy rains, ranging from 5–11 inches with some areas receiving over 10 inches, contributed to deadly flash flooding that claimed at least 108 lives in Kerr County alone, making it the deadliest inland flood event in the U.S. since 1976.
For many RV park residents in Kerr County, the floods brought about unexpected hardship. Angie Nevarez, a resident of Riverside RV Park, was asleep when the storm started raging. Upon her return, she found her RV flooded and likely totaled. Similarly, Thomas Rux, who has lived in his RV in Kerrville for five years, lost his home to the floods.
The floods also destroyed an entire RV park and washed away an RV marked with a red "X", indicating no survivors or dead found inside. However, not all RV residents were as unfortunate. Mary Gonzalez, a school teacher at Take-it-Easy RV Resort, managed to protect her RV from rain with quick fixes, providing her with peace of mind.
Gwynn Gilliam, a retiree living at Lone Star RV Park, expressed a strong affection for living in Kerr County, but the flood experience has left her contemplating her future. Nevarez, too, plans to stay in the RV community but will probably move away from the river due to the flood experience.
In the aftermath of the floods, the community has shown resilience and support for each other. Residents have been sharing food, resources, and helping each other connect with organizations for assistance. Some park residents are even discussing the possibility of donating money to neighbors who lost their homes.
Emergency services ordered people to evacuate from their campers and RVs in Kerrville at 2:30 a.m. on July 4. Since then, local law enforcement, emergency management, and rescue teams have been actively engaged in recovery operations and notification of next-of-kin for victims. Shelters and reunification centers have been established for displaced residents and those separated from family members.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has been coordinating efforts since before the flood hit, including preparedness meetings and ongoing response activities. However, specific information about aid or assistance explicitly tailored for RV park residents is not detailed in the search results. Given the official disaster declaration, federally coordinated disaster relief programs (such as FEMA assistance), and local support operations typical of such events, it is likely residents can access emergency shelter, financial aid, and resources through these channels.
As Kerrville continues to recover from the devastating floods, residents affected by the disaster are encouraged to engage with local emergency management offices and disaster relief organizations to access available assistance. The community's resilience and support for each other during this difficult time serve as a testament to the spirit of Kerrville.
- Despite the destruction caused by the floods, some RV residents managed to protect their homes, like Mary Gonzalez who saved her RV at Take-it-Easy RV Resort.
- The devastating floods in Kerrville caused Angie Nevarez and Thomas Rux to lose their RV homes, forcing them to reconsider their lifestyle living by the Guadalupe River.
- In the aftermath of the disaster, home-and-garden equipment such as pumps and sandbags became crucial for RV park residents trying to protect their homes, showcasing the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices in these situations.
