KERRVILLE, Texas — Kerr County residents and businesses are clearing mud and debris from their properties weeks after another devastating flood, but local leaders and nonprofits say the community has received less financial assistance and volunteer support than it did after last year’s disaster.
As of Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had not approved federal assistance for individuals or local governments affected by the latest flooding. Kerr County also faces a potential $8 million budget shortfall, according to the Kerrville Daily Times.
The state had received 1,501 damage survey submissions by Monday, including reports of 47 destroyed structures and 310 structures with major damage, according to Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Shorey Harmon.
The flooding also threatens local businesses that depend on summer tourism as visitors cancel trips to the region.
“This is a new flood,” said Jeff Byard, chief program officer for Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit that has sent volunteers to help residents remove mud and debris. “This isn’t last year’s flood. People need help, and organizations need the support of partners and individuals.”
Kerr County experienced a far deadlier flood in July 2025 that killed 119 people, including 27 girls who were swept away by the Guadalupe River at Camp Mystic. The disaster drew national and international attention, along with benefit concerts and an influx of volunteers and donations.
This year’s flooding killed one person in Kerr County but affected a broader area. Local officials and nonprofit leaders said the response has not matched last year’s level of support.
“Where are all the volunteers this year, compared to last?” Kerr County Commissioner Jeff Holt asked during a commissioners court meeting Monday.
The meeting took place in a former municipal court building after floodwaters damaged the county courthouse basement.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring estimated that the city suffered about $30 million in infrastructure damage, including damage to its water treatment plant, sewage lift stations, roads and bridges. County Judge Rob Kelly said the county also sustained damage to roads and bridges and had to relocate courthouse employees.
School sports teams, local residents and volunteer organizations have helped prepare meals and clean damaged homes. But some nonprofits said donations have fallen compared with last year.
LiftFund received requests for assistance from about 250 small businesses within three days of the flood, said President and CEO Amy Hereford. The organization offered grants of up to $10,000 but closed applications after receiving more requests than it could fund.
“They are hardworking, and they are humble human beings,” Hereford said. “And they are tired, exhausted.”
Nathan Rich, who owns a vehicle repair business in Center Point, was among those affected for a second consecutive year. Floodwaters damaged his shop and home in July 2025 and again on July 16, 2026.
The latest flood destroyed power tools, office equipment and other machinery at his business. Customers’ vehicles also were damaged, while mud covered the shop.
Rich and an employee began cleaning the business themselves before three volunteers arrived Saturday. Their help allowed the shop to reopen Monday.
“That made a huge difference,” Rich said. “It’s not even necessarily about the money. It’s about just showing that there’s people that care.”
In Kerrville, Liz Ayala and her family also spent days clearing their grandmother’s former home after floodwaters forced them to gut the property.
Ayala said her family received little assistance initially and relied on relatives, friends and neighbors to remove damaged sheetrock and flooring. A volunteer group from Samaritan’s Purse later helped finish the cleanup.
Ayala told the Kerrville City Council on July 22 that residents in her neighborhood had largely relied on one another.
“We haven’t received any kind of help, just us as neighbors just doing it ourselves,” she said.
The family remains uncertain about how it will pay for repairs and where relatives will live while the home is restored.
“There’s a lot more help needed,” Herring said after visiting the property. “Where do they live while they’re waiting for their homes to be restored? What’s the next step?”
FEMA assistance so far has covered emergency measures such as search and rescue operations and shelters. Federal officials had not approved additional individual or local government assistance as of Tuesday.
Local officials have urged residents to submit damage reports to the state as they seek additional federal assistance.
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz also asked President Donald Trump last week to approve additional federal support, saying communities affected by the flooding were already carrying an “extraordinary burden.”
Kerr County Commissioner Tom Jones said residents were struggling but remained determined to recover.
“We are kind of crushed in spirit, but this is the most resilient place I’ve ever been a part of,” Jones said.