Tears and gratitude filled the Ingram Tom Moore High School event center Saturday as victims of the devastating July 4 Kerr County flood received $25,000 checks from country music legend George Strait’s fundraising efforts. The checks represent the first installment of assistance from Strait’s July 27 benefit concert in Boerne, which raised roughly $7 million for flood recovery. Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Division of Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd, and Strait’s longtime friend Tom Cusick personally handed out the relief funds.
Cusick, co-founder of Vaqueros del Mar with Strait, said the goal is to get the money into victims’ hands immediately. “We’re going to get the money to people who need it, so they can start rebuilding and healing,” he stated. About 50 checks were distributed Saturday, with more to come. Recipients were selected from those who had already filed claims with FEMA.
The disaster began late July 3 when a powerful storm stalled over the Guadalupe River basin, dumping up to 12 inches of rain on the headwaters and surrounding tributaries. The flood killed over 100 people in Kerr County, with two still missing. Governor Abbott described the tragedy as “the most devastation I’ve ever seen in Texas” and vowed to continue rescue and rebuilding efforts. “Job number one was to save lives, and we are unrelenting in our search,” he said.
Temporary and permanent aid is being provided, and lawmakers are addressing concerns about flood warnings and communication failures. State Rep. Wes Virdell, the sole local official present, was recognized by Abbott as a point of contact for constituents. Kidd’s emergency management teams, working on-site, assisted families with FEMA paperwork and next steps in recovery. He credited President Trump’s administration with speeding up the federal response, saying, “I haven’t seen FEMA move this fast.”
Among the recipients were families who lost homes, possessions, and loved ones. Dusty Gilliam of Hunt lost her daughter, Jane Ragsdale, in the flood. Liz and Bruce Bond saw their home’s foundation shift and floors collapse, while their neighbor Brian Olsen lost his home, vehicle, business, and personal belongings in less than an hour. Despite the destruction, residents expressed determination to rebuild.
Abbott remained after the ceremony, shaking hands, offering hugs, and speaking personally with those impacted, underscoring the ongoing commitment to restore Kerr County.
