When the floods swept through the Hill Country in July, the destruction was swift and overwhelming. Roads vanished, families were displaced, and entire communities felt the weight of devastating loss. In those first hours and the long days that followed, local departments answered the call without hesitation.
In speaking with the men and women who served, all of them described finding strength in how quickly neighbors became partners and agencies became teams. Some sent boats into rushing waters, some opened their stations as donation hubs, and others offered comfort through a K-9. Each group performed a different role, but they all shared the same mindset: protect, recover, and support.
The following profiles offer a glimpse into these efforts. They are not just dramatic retellings of rescues and recoveries, but reflections on resilience, community, and the quiet heroism that emerges in crisis. Join us in celebrating this story of the Hill Country at its best: neighbors helping neighbors when it matters most.
Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department
The Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department was quickly on alert as the flooding began. “The entire department—everyone who was available—was called to the station,” says Ashleigh Taylor, who oversees logistics. Crews kept a close eye on low-water crossings, especially the Guadalupe Bridge on Highway 1376, which quickly became impassable.
The next day, Sisterdale crews joined recovery efforts that stretched nearly 20 miles along the Guadalupe. By Monday, their small station had transformed into a hub of activity. “We had 200 to 300 people coming through each day that first week,” Taylor recalls. “By the following week, teams arrived from Tennessee, Alabama, Kansas, and Ohio. It was incredible to see our little station become the center of so much activity.”
Taylor’s role was critical. She worked to organize supplies, field calls, and ensure that crews left each morning prepared for the long hours ahead. “We didn’t always know what was coming in, but people showed up with everything—water, Gatorade, gloves, sunscreen, even baby powder for blisters,” she says. “My job was to get it sorted and back out to the teams that needed it most.”
Her disaster response was profoundly personal. “That first day, it was just me, my daughter, and another crew member’s daughter. It was overwhelming. People pouring in with questions and needs, and none of us really prepared for something of that scale.” However, within 24 hours, volunteers appeared, and the station was filled with food, donations, and a sense of shared purpose.
“The community was amazing,” Taylor says. “We cried with people, we hugged strangers, and we saw the heart of good people. It brought our department together on another level and reminded us how resilient this community truly is.”
Boerne Police Department
“We were notified early the morning of July 4th by [Boerne] Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball,” remembers Boerne Police Chief Steve Perez. “We immediately activated our emergency operations center. Since we weren’t hit with the same heavy rain as northern Kendall and Kerr counties, we took on an assist-as-needed role.”
Perez said Boerne officers walked riverbanks, secured closed roadways, and relieved exhausted colleagues. “One of our officers, Christopher Dingman, was with families from Camp Mystic at the church as they waited for news about missing children. It was traumatic for everyone involved. I’m proud of my officers and all the first responders who worked tirelessly.”
Kendall County Sheriff’s Office
“The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office was fully engaged throughout the July 4th flooding,” says Lieutenant Kevin Klaerner. “We responded to rescues, closed dangerous roadways, and assisted families in need.” Deputies assisted with evacuations, redirected traffic, and provided security in hard-hit areas. “The most difficult and heartbreaking action was assisting with the recovery of nine victims,” Klaerner recalls. “Our team never wavered, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.”
What stood out most was the dedication of his deputies. “In Comfort, deputies waded through rising waters—even off duty—to help evacuate families. That kind of commitment stays with you and defines what service truly means.”
Alamo Area Search and Rescue
When the extent of the flooding became apparent, Alamo Area Search and Rescue was deployed and spent five days in the field. “We’re a 100% volunteer search and rescue organization,” says Shiloh Korom, a canine handler and new member coordinator. “All of our certified cadaver canine teams were deployed during that time, working long days alongside other agencies.”
For Korom, a seven-year veteran of the team, what stood out most was the unity she witnessed on the ground. “Everyone from different walks of life came together with the same mindset,” Coram said. “It was inspiring to see so many people work side by side toward one goal.”
Boerne Fire Department
As the floodwaters surged, the Boerne Fire Department mobilized quickly. One of the department’s first missions was to send two of its three boat crews to Comfort, where they worked for 15 straight hours that day. “They affected eight rescues and numerous evacuations,” Assistant Chief Walter Ball explains. “Some residents weren’t in the water, but they were trapped in their homes and couldn’t get to safer areas.”
Over the next five days, Boerne crews conducted seven additional boat operations along the Guadalupe River, from Center Point to Sisterdale, assisting with both rescues and monitoring rising waters.
While most operations have wound down, Ball notes some recovery work continues. “Debris management will be ongoing for quite some time,” he said, “but the community’s resilience has been nothing short of amazing.”
Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department
The Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department braced for impact both locally and regionally. Chief Adam Hawkins was asked to report to the emergency operations center in Boerne, then sent to Comfort to help coordinate boat crews.
“We’re a volunteer department, so we had to balance helping in Comfort with making sure Bergheim was still covered,” Hawkins says. “We started putting crews together, keeping some back to protect our 58 square miles while sending others to Comfort and later Sisterdale as the search expanded downstream.”
For Hawkins, a 23-year volunteer firefighter, what struck him most was the response. “People showed up with water, tools, chainsaws—whatever was needed. On a normal day, we’d be lucky to have five or ten people respond. That day, we had crews everywhere, and it reminded me why our community is so strong.”
Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department
Demonstrating the regional impact of the event, the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, despite its small size, found important ways to contribute. With only three to four officers typically on duty, Chief Todd Smith knew he couldn’t send large numbers into the field. Still, he ensured his department played a meaningful role.
As news spread, the city canceled its fireworks show. Smith deployed Officer David Magness and his new canine partner, Vox, to the reunification center at Ingram Elementary School. “Vox is an emotional support dog, and this was his first real assignment,” Smith explains. “He spent about eight hours comforting stressed parents and children, and he was a huge hit before he finally wore out.”
Officer Magness told Smith about a father he met in the midst of the chaos, still searching for one of his children. “Two had been found, but one was still missing,” Smith said quietly. “That kind of story stays with you.”
Other officers rotated through the week, delivering supplies and offering support. Back home, the department opened its station as a donation hub. “The community and churches packed our building to the point we couldn’t walk down the halls,” Smith recalls. “It then became a matter of how many trucks it would take to deliver everything.” Fair Oaks PD distributed supplies not only in Kerr County but also in San Angelo, Leander, and Burnet County.
For Smith, a retired Austin officer, the experience highlighted the unique strength of Hill Country law enforcement. “Small departments can’t do everything on their own, but together we can pull off big rescue missions,” he said. “There’s no second thought when a crisis happens. We all say, ‘Let me know what you need.’”
Comfort Volunteer Fire Department
As the closest agency in our area to the most intense devastation, the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department was among the first to respond on July 4th. “Comfort is unique because we sit right on the Kendall–Kerr County line,” says Chief Adam Eichholz. Three of his firefighters on the Kerr County Swiftwater Rescue Team were dispatched around 4:45 a.m. “The velocity of the water was just mind-blowing,” Eichholz recalls.
Back in Comfort, Assistant Chief Danny Morales, a 50-year veteran, transformed the fire station into a command post. Crews monitored evacuations and launched recovery efforts, supported by volunteers who took time off work. “Everybody came together and did what needed to be done,” Eichholz says.
Community support was overwhelming, with donations pouring in from across Texas and beyond. Funding even arrived from Florida for a new rescue boat and sirens. “People dropped everything to come help,” Eichholz remembers. “Seeing that kind of commitment sticks with you and proves how deeply people care for each other.”