Julia Hatfield said that after she and her husband escaped the floodwaters, she wanted to participate in benefit concerts to “help people whatever way possible.”
KERR COUNTY, Texas — After deadly flooding devastated parts of the Texas Hill Country on July 4, many residents stepped up to help their neighbors recover.
Among them is a Kerr County musician who not only survived the floodwaters, but she is now using her talent to support those still picking up the pieces.
Julia Hatfield and her husband were living at the Blue Oak RV Park in Kerrville when the Guadalupe River rose rapidly, turning a peaceful holiday morning into chaos.
“By the time I got outside, the water was already up to the doors of the RVs,” Hatfield said.
Vehicles were swept away, and RVs were submerged in the water. Amid the rescue efforts, Hatfield said she heard a child’s scream and saw a little boy in the river.
“I just collapsed in my husband’s arms, because I felt so guilty that there was nothing I could have done for that little boy,” she said. “But you just wish you had superpowers in that moment to do something.”
Fortunately, she later learned that the boy survived.
In the daylight, the full scope of the damage became clear. Hatfield found the remains of her RV downriver.
“As much as loss of property is unfortunate, the loss of life is definitely a perspective shifter,” she said.
But amid the devastation, Hatfield was able to save one thing: her instruments.
“Really couldn’t think of anything to grab other than instruments,” she said.
Her love for music and her desire to help led her to post a video on Instagram, asking to join any benefit concert efforts.
“If anybody’s looking for another artist to join a benefit concert, please let me know,” she said in the video.
Soon after, Hatfield was added to the lineup for the Galleywinter River Jam, which was turned into a flood relief concert held this past Sunday.
“To see the Texas music community come together is a really beautiful thing,” she said from the stage.
She and several other musicians raised funds to help flood victims across the Texas Hill Country. When asked why she volunteered her time and talent, Hatfield said it felt like the right thing to do.
“Just trying to help people whatever way possible,” she said. “But I’m just thankful for the opportunity to go out and make music, so it just seems fitting to do it, especially now.”
Hatfield is currently staying with family in Fredericksburg as she and others affected by the floods continue the long road to recovery.
She is scheduled to perform at another flood relief concert Wednesday night at the Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg. The event, titled “Hope in Harmony,” will stream online starting at 7 p.m.