Floods devastate Texas Hill Country, destroying properties and claiming lives.
HUNT, Texas — The devastating floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country have left behind a trail of destruction, taking lives and damaging properties.
Rushing water from the Guadalupe River barreled through the area in the early morning hours Friday, flattening buildings, tossing cars and leaving little warning for those in its path.
One of the hardest-hit landmarks was the Hunt Store, a local fixture that’s stood for more than a century.
“There was no warning. None,” said Haley Lehrmann, the current owner of the store, which dates back to at least 1914.
Inside the store, trees and debris now cover the floor, and what’s left of the apartment above has collapsed onto the checkout counter.
Lehrmann wasn’t alone when the water hit. Living above the store was 10-year-old Stella Davison, along with her mom, the store’s general manager.
Stella described how the two of them, along with their dog Laney, managed to escape by crawling out of a bathroom window and climbing to the roof. They stayed there for hours in the rain, waiting for help.
“I was yelling and I was shining my flashlight,” Stella recalled.
For Stella, the trauma didn’t end with their escape.
“My friend is my cousin, Renee. She passed away,” she said quietly.
Just up the road from the store, emergency responders have been focusing their search efforts on Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls along the river. Dozens of state troopers and ambulances continued to move in and out of the area Saturday. The sound of sirens echoed through the hills as officials worked tirelessly to find those still missing.
“I could hear the kids down here, screaming,” one resident said through tears.
Even in the face of immense loss, the community is clinging to hope. Neighbors are helping each other sift through debris, salvage belongings, and share what little resources remain.
“I cry every time I look around because the community has come together,” Lehrmann said.
Though overwhelmed with heartbreak, residents like Lehrmann remain determined to rebuild.
“But we’re here,” she said. “And I’ll be here.”