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West Texas diocese applies lessons from 2025 floods to its relief efforts after latest disaster

July 23, 2026

[Episcopal News Service] The impact of severe flooding last week in the central Texas counties known as the Hill Country is still being felt by residents. Since then, Episcopal congregations have joined community efforts to respond to pressing needs there — one year after the region was hit by an earlier round of deadly and destructive river flooding. “Our congregations are mobilizing to respond to the variety of needs in their communities, in coordination with other local churches and agencies,” West Texas Bishop David Read said in a July 21 online update to his San Antonio-based diocese. “We have also been in contact with Episcopal Relief & Development which has approved an initial grant to help meet immediate needs, which vary from place to place.” He singled out St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Uvalde and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kerrville for their flood relief efforts. St. Peter’s also was at the center of efforts in Kerr County to respond to the extreme flooding that occurred in July 2025. “One of the great lessons our diocese learned following the July 4 flood last year is the power of our prayers and the strength we have when we come together as the Body of Christ in West Texas,” Read said. “It is time to once again join our hands together in prayer, support and love for one another across West Texas.” Last week’s storm and flooding killed two people, displaced hundreds more and caused widespread damage across the state’s midsection. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration on July 17 affecting 28 counties, and some of the worst flooding occurred along the Nueces and Leona rivers in Uvalde County and the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. “Because of all the rain, the rivers went really high, really fast,” National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Fogarty told KERA News. “We’ve now seen a couple years in a row where we were able to get the thunderstorms to develop,” creating particularly hazardous conditions, he said. Last year’s storm and flash flooding killed more than 130 people, including 28 campers and staff at Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. Episcopal leaders in the region have been able to take some of the lessons learned from their response to that disaster and apply them to the most recent flooding. In Kerr County, St. Peter’s has encouraged residents to complete a “Community Needs Assessment” form so the congregation can help direct assistance to those most in need, in coordination with the Communion Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and other local partners. “The impact is quite different compared to last year’s July 4 flood. Fortunately, not as much loss of life, but still quite a bit of property damage all across this county and beyond,” the Rev. Bert Baetz, St. Peter’s rector, said in a social media update about relief and recovery efforts. Baetz also encouraged residents to apply for the church’s cash assistance program, which was successful last year in getting direct assistance into the hands of those most affected by the flooding. In Uvalde, several hundred residents reportedly are dealing with flood-damaged homes. A record rise of the nearby Nueces River also wiped out a section of a key highway bridge southwest of the city. The Rev. Tanner Ambs, St. Philip’s rector, told the congregation during its July 19 worship service that St. Philip’s had received disaster relief funds, including from Episcopal Relief & Development, and church leaders were receiving guidance from St. Peter’s in Kerrville on the best way to distribute that money to flood-affected residents. St. Peter’s has “a really good process that they put into place after last year’s catastrophic floods in Kerrville,” Ambs said. “We will get that in place so that we can accept applications, determine need and make sure that the funding will get to people who need it … so that we can do the best that we can to serve Uvalde and this community.” Read, in his message to the diocese, advised that donated goods are not yet needed but financial donations are welcome, either to local churches and organizations or to the Diocese of West Texas’ fundraising campaign. “The greatest needs now are prayers and financial contributions,” Read said. “Even though the rain has stopped, please continue to pray without ceasing for those who have lost so much in so many of our communities.” – David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.