TEXAS — Another costly rebuild is something Mayor Joe Herring said the City of Kerrville just can’t afford. So, recovery will look different after the second flood.
“Neighbors helping neighbors,” Herring said. “We do need help from the federal and state government. We’re asking every day.”
One month later, residents in the Texas Hill Country are still waiting for government assistance after a crippling flood in July, almost one year after the flooding on July 4, 2025.
“The physical damage within the city of Kerrville was much greater this time than it was last time,” said Herring.
Of the 1,100 homes damaged across the region, the majority are in Kerrville. More than 640 homeowners reported flood damage within the city limits.
“Some of those homes, they’re destroyed,” Herring said. “Others, they are rebuilding, but it’s major, major damage.”
Herring said he’s thankful lives were spared this year. But the town’s infrastructure — roads, bridges, sewer and water lines — has been compromised.
“The estimate right now, and we’re still assessing, is a little over $100 million in damage to the infrastructure,” Herring said.
The city’s budget for next year was nearly finished before the July 16 flood. Herring said Kerrville operates on about $70 million annually. After a double dose of historic flooding, additional funding is needed now more than ever.
“Kerrville alone cannot pay for the damages. We cannot,” Herring said.
Herring said the city needs state and federal government assistance to kick in.
“A disaster declaration that will help individuals,” Herring said. “Homes… those families need help.”
A month into a second flood recovery, Herring said he’s proud of his community’s response and grateful for the nonprofits that have stepped up.
“They already showed they had resilience and grit one year ago,” Herring said. “And now they’re showing it again.”
Although a number of Kerrville families are fighting an uphill battle, Herring is keeping the faith that his hometown will rise again.