The recent flooding in Texas has wreaked havoc, leaving entire neighborhoods submerged and upending countless lives.
Among those affected by the emotional toll of these disasters is Dr. Staci McHale, an OBGYN based in Las Vegas, who is deeply connected to the region now grappling with the aftermath of the floods.
For McHale, the situation hits particularly close to home as she has family residing in the flood zone.
“It’s heartbreaking really to know that there can be that much destruction in an area that’s so loved by so many people,” she shared.
Her brother, who lives in Georgetown, Texas, has also faced the challenges brought on by the inundation.
On July 5, while the family was away, they received alarming news that the river next to their home was flooding.
They were quick to act, contacting friends for assistance to evacuate their animals and start clearing out storage areas.
Fearing the worst after hearing about the devastation in nearby Kerr County, McHale reached out to her brother.
“I sent him a text just to make sure he was OK because I was scared that he was going to be caught up in the same things that we had heard about from the previous day,” she explained.
This isn’t Dr. McHale’s first encounter with flooding in Texas; she has personal history with these relentless waters.
Having grown up in Central Texas, her childhood was imbued with tales of the Guadalupe River, where she once attended summer camp, a site which is now facing similar crises.
She recalls a particularly tragic flood that struck the town where she attended college back in the late 1990s, causing many professors and residents to lose their homes.
“We had to evacuate the school for a week,” she stated, underscoring the devastating impact these floods have had over the years.
The images of current flooding in her home state evoke painful memories for McHale.
“It’s heartbreaking. I know people that went to summer camp at Camp Mystic and people that went to various summer camps in the area, and it brings back a lot of memories from when I was in school,” she added.
Despite the heartbreaking situation unfolding, McHale also emphasizes the remarkable resilience she has witnessed in the face of such disasters.
“It’s very scary how fast some of these things happen and how fast it gets back to normal is also pretty incredible,” she remarked.
Her brother and his family, though shaken by the flood, are now back home, safe and beginning the process of repairing the damage.
In light of the extensive destruction across Central Texas, communities are rallying together to provide critical support to those directly impacted.
Scripps News Group and the Scripps Howard Fund have joined forces to facilitate relief efforts, encouraging donations to aid local organizations in their recovery missions.
So far, they have successfully raised $75,000, emphasizing the importance of community spirit and generosity in times of crisis.
Every dollar contributed will be directed towards supporting local organizations working to alleviate the hardships caused by these floods, showcasing the strength and unity of the affected communities.
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