safety
Last year’s Hill Country floods traumatized Texas first responders. Then the skies opened again.
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Texas Tribune, Ellie Ashby , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 22, 2026
· 10 min read
One year after volunteer firefighter Razor Dobbs scoured the Texas Hill Country for victims of a devastating early morning flood, he stood before an elderly couple reluctant to evacuate their Center Point-area home as rain pounded and thunder crashed. It was around 3 a.m. Thursday, and in the dar...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Texas Tribune, Ellie Ashby, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Dobbs, familiar with the damage floodwater can inflict on the human body, refused to allow this couple to share the fate of more than 130 people who were killed in July 2025.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The repeated trauma inflicted on first responders and residents in Kerr County raises concerns about the long-term mental health support available to those affected by these disasters. As the community begins to rebuild and recover, it's crucial that local authorities prioritize access to counseling services and therapy for volunteers like Razor Dobbs and Darcy Hasty, who are shouldering the emotional burden of responding to these floods. The fact that Dobbs and Hasty are still grappling with the memories of last year's flood, even as they work to respond to the current crisis, underscores the need for sustained support. The city and county governments must work together to ensure that these individuals receive the help they need to process their experiences and mitigate the risk of long-term psychological damage. By doing so, San Antonio and surrounding areas can better support the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect their communities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 10 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? One year after volunteer firefighter Razor Dobbs scoured the Texas Hill Country for victims of a devastating early morning flood, he stood before an elderly couple reluctant to evacuate their Center Point-area home as rain pounded and thunder crashed. It was around 3 a.m. Thursday, and in the dar...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Ellie Ashby at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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