At Waltonia on the River, things are currently a work in progress as they aim to reopen.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — More than 130 people were killed in raging floodwaters one month ago.
The flood’s epicenter was in the heart of the Hill Country.
In the month that followed, thousands of volunteers have been helping those impacted to rebuild.
Across the area, signs of the flood’s power are everywhere. Trees lie sideways, riverbanks are reshaped and debris still litters much of the region. The Guadalupe River itself has receded, but the scars remain.
On Water Street, a memorial wall stands in silent tribute to those lost. It’s where local resident Steven Spinks often stops to reflect.
“When I went to the Guadalupe by the Nimetz Dam, it just felt… the land felt different, you know,” he said. “A lot of people died.”
Spinks walks the length of the wall, reading letters, studying photos and quietly grieving. Through tears, he shared the story of a friend whose house in nearby Hunt was swept away.
“A friend of mine lives in Hunt. Her house got washed away. She stayed on a tree for three hours till—she went down a mile going 30-40 miles an hour,” Spinks said.
Though much of the debris has been cleared and some rebuilding has begun, the emotional weight of the disaster is still heavy for many.
“The flood hurt us — mind, body and soul,” Spinks said.
At Waltonia on the River, things are currently a work in progress to reopen.
Walking to the banks of the Guadalupe River, siblings Mandi Secor Lipscomb and Neal Secor showed us just how much the Fourth of July floods devastated their area.
“So this is the cabins?” KHOU 11 Reporter Amanda Henderson asked.
“This is the cabins,” Mandi said.
“That is just construction debris. That’s just everything except for the roofs,” Neal Secor said.
The siblings are referring to a pile of lumber near where their 16 cabins once stood. The pile is made up of several of the cabins, some of which are more than 100 years old.
“Our dad and his siblings grew up here at Waltonia. We got to grow up here at Waltonia. So, the place means a lot to us,” Mandi said.
On July 4, the families staying at their 16 cabins saw the Guadalupe River rise beyond where it had ever risen before. Many of the families who come to the cabins are generational visitors.
All cabins are built either off the ground or beyond the 100 and 500-year flood zone.
“The primary concern was all of these guests,” Mandi said.
One guest sounded the alarm as the river rose. They went door to door to help get everyone safely up a nearby hill.
The floodwater’s damage is beyond comprehension.
“This is Cabin 15 — it had 8-plus feet of water in it. This cabin, 14, it was completely damaged. There was about 7 1/2 feet of water in there,” Neal said.
Mandi and Neal let us walk through Cabin 14, where one month ago, water would have covered all of our heads.
“Matter of fact, you can see some of the watermark right there,” Neal said while measuring about 7 feet in the air.
“That’s the watermark from a month ago today?” Henderson asked.
“Yep,” Neal answered.
The siblings said an army of volunteers helped them to tear down the most damaged cabins, which included their father’s home.
They also helped to gut cabins that took on water to help avoid mold growth.
“Volunteers came in and helped pull out wet furniture, wet mattresses, I mean, they were covered in mud, and they just kept going,” Mandi said.
That grit has given the siblings a chance to rebuild their family’s beloved site.
“What so many families have said is that this is such a special place for our families, and it holds a lot of memories, so we need you guys to rebuild,” Mandi said.
The siblings said that mentality is carrying them through these tough days. It’s also why they plan to bring Waltonia on the River back as they can do so. Those plans are currently underway.
If you can financially support Waltonia on the River, here is their GoFundMe link.