local
One year after the July 4 flood, Kerr County shows signs of trauma and healing
By Texas Tribune, Emily Foxhall at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 20 min read
KERR COUNTY — Alicia Baker can’t bring herself to clean her daughter’s bedroom.Eleven-year-old Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey left a pile of craft supplies on the floor in their San Antonio home before heading off to the Guadalupe River with her grandparents, where they drowned in the flood last Fourth o...
Key takeaway “If all of her things are gone then I can’t rationalize that anymore,” the 43-year-old said.
Why this matters in Tomball News
While the story of Kerr County's flood recovery is a poignant one, Tomball residents can appreciate the long-term effects of natural disasters on a community. The fact that only a fraction of assistance applications were approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Kerr County highlights the potential for similar challenges in Harris County, where Tomball is located. As Tomball continues to grow and develop, it's crucial for local leaders to prioritize flood mitigation and emergency preparedness efforts. The resilience of Kerr County residents in rebuilding and restoring their community is a testament to the strength of Texas communities, and Tomball can learn from their experience in balancing recovery with long-term planning and infrastructure development. By examining the recovery efforts in Kerr County, Tomball can better prepare for and respond to its own potential disasters, ultimately creating a more resilient and sustainable community.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 20 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? KERR COUNTY — Alicia Baker can’t bring herself to clean her daughter’s bedroom.Eleven-year-old Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey left a pile of craft supplies on the floor in their San Antonio home before heading off to the Guadalupe River with her grandparents, where they drowned in the flood last Fourth o...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Emily Foxhall at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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