In early July 2025, devastating flash floods tore through Central Texas, leaving a trail of destruction, heartbreak, and national grief.

Entire communities were overwhelmed as rivers burst their banks, neighborhoods were submerged, and hundreds of families lost everything.

The floods claimed the lives of over 100 people, including 27 young girls who were swept away while attending a summer camp near the Pedernales River. The tragedy shook the entire state — and soon after, the entire nation began to respond.

A Disaster That Shook Texas to Its Core

Torrential rain in the first week of July led to catastrophic flooding across key areas in Central Texas, including Kerr County, Austin, and rural regions west of San Antonio. Dozens of roads were washed away, power outages lasted for days, and search-and-rescue teams worked around the clock to locate missing persons.

Local officials called it “one of the worst natural disasters Texas has faced in decades.” President Biden declared a federal state of emergency, releasing additional funds for FEMA and the National Guard.

Corporate Giants Step Up

Some of the first major donations came from Texas-based corporations:

H-E-B donated over $500,000 in cash and in-kind support including food, water, diapers, and hygiene kits to affected families.
Texas Roadhouse pledged 10% of all restaurant sales for one week to flood relief efforts.
Walmart provided over $1 million in emergency supplies, including portable generators, bedding, and cleanup kits.
P. Terry’s Burger Stand and Whataburger initiated local fundraising campaigns in coordination with the Red Cross.

NFL Teams Lead the Way

In a rare show of unity, the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans each donated $500,000 to the Texas Flood Recovery Fund, with the NFL matching their total contribution for a combined donation of $1.5 million.

In a joint statement, team representatives said:

“This is about community first. Football comes later. Texans always take care of Texans.”

Music Stars Send Prayers and Support

Although not all celebrities spoke out publicly, several country and pop stars offered heartfelt messages and support:

Robert Earl Keen, a Texas country legend, performed a benefit show in San Antonio, raising over $100,000 for flood victims.
Jo Dee Messina launched a GoFundMe campaign that went viral, with proceeds going toward rebuilding Camp Mystic, the summer camp that suffered the greatest loss.
Randy Rogers Band, Parker McCollum, and Shane Smith & The Saints all pledged earnings from their summer tours to support local families and trauma recovery centers.
Matthew McConaughey, a Texas native, shared an emotional Instagram post urging unity and compassion:

“Countless Texans are hurting — inside and out. If you can help, help. This is going to be a long road home.”

Grassroots Texas Resilience

Beyond celebrities and corporations, the real backbone of recovery has been ordinary Texans helping each other:

Local churches opened their doors as shelters
Volunteers with boats rescued stranded families from rooftops
Food banks across the state launched emergency drives
Therapists and trauma counselors offered free mental health services to survivors and children

Texans came together not for the spotlight — but because that’s who they are.

What Happens Next?

Recovery is ongoing. Experts estimate that over $300 million in damages have been sustained, including the loss of public infrastructure, schools, parks, and hundreds of homes.

But with every donation, every helping hand, and every voice raised in support, Texas is rebuilding — stronger, united, and full of heart.