RickyRay Robertson’s story is one of survival, destruction, and resiliency that unfolded during tragic and catastrophic flooding in Kerrville.
KERRVILLE, Texas — RickRay Robertson says when the Guadalupe River started to rise early Friday morning, he didn’t have time to think. He sprung into action to save his brother who was at a home along the river.
“I was banging on that door. He couldn’t hear me, so I had to kick in that door,” said Robertson.
When he first crossed the street, it was dry.
But in less than a minute, the waters had risen.
“When I got him, and we went back across, it was a little bit above my waist,” Robertson recalls.
Robertson stays at a cabin behind the home, which has since been swept away in the destruction.
The cabin is behind the house where his brother lives.
But on that night, he was watching the Astros game across the street, having decided not to go home when the rains began to fall.
“The Astros and Jesus Christ saved my life,” said Robertson.
As Robertson scrambled to save what he could amid the deluge, he heard screams from the river that he says will haunt him forever.
“What I heard on the river that night, was just more mind-blowingly chilling.”
As the waters have receded, Robertson says several bodies have been recovered near his home.
They have also left behind a trail of destruction.
“This green shed came from next door. The car came from nine miles away, the barn and the trailer moved about 30 feet,” he said. “We lost another trailer, and two cabins.”
Reflecting on the power of the river in the aftermath of all the chaos, Robertson said he isn’t lucky to be alive—he’s blessed.
A symbol of that still stands: A cross erected 14 years ago after his stepfather passed was rooted just 10 inches into the ground, but it withstood the raging waters.
“This is eternal, and what it means to me is my faith is stronger than that river,” said Robertson.
That faith reminds him to stand strong. And by sharing his story, it’s allowing him to heal.
“For the first time I just broke down,” he said. “I mean, my mom cried in my arms yesterday.”
“I needed to cry. I needed to break down a little bit, let some of this out. You have to breath, and you have to realize that you are human.”
Robertson also echoed a sentiment that many in the community feel, that no one is to blame for this tragedy. Robertson says when you live along the river, things like rising river levels happen. He calls it a natural disaster.