local
Texas Monthly writer shares how ‘survival changes you’ after being swept away in Hill Country floods
By Myra Arthur, Sal Salazar at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
Aaron Parsley went to bed the night before the Fourth of July after enjoying a day along the Guadalupe River with his family. Hours later, he woke in the dark to rushing water and a home being ripped apart around them.“We went to bed a happy family,” Parsley said. “And we woke up in the middle of...
Key takeaway “We went to bed a happy family,” Parsley said.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The devastating flood that swept away homes and lives along the Guadalupe River is a stark reminder of the power of nature in the Texas Hill Country. For San Antonio residents, the tragedy hits close to home, as many in our community have family ties or fond memories of visiting the river. The loss suffered by Aaron Parsley and his family is a heartbreaking example of the flood's destructive force. As Parsley rebuilds his life in Lockhart, a smaller community southeast of Austin, his story serves as a testament to the resilience of those affected by the disaster. The shift in priorities that Parsley has experienced, valuing time and reordering what matters, is a sentiment that may resonate with many in San Antonio who have faced their own struggles with flooding and disaster recovery. His story will likely find a receptive audience in our community, where the impact of natural disasters is all too familiar.
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: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Aaron Parsley went to bed the night before the Fourth of July after enjoying a day along the Guadalupe River with his family. Hours later, he woke in the dark to rushing water and a home being ripped apart around them.“We went to bed a happy family,” Parsley said. “And we woke up in the middle of...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Myra Arthur, Sal Salazar 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 local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter