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Crissy and Avi Eliashar never worried much about flooding. For 13 years, their home in Jonestown, TX, had weathered every storm without incident, reports CNN.
But that changed on July 5, when torrential rains triggered flash floods across central Texas. Within hours, their home, car, and nearly all their belongings were gone.
The Eliashars, like many in their community, didn’t have flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, leaving families to shoulder the enormous cost of rebuilding on their own. Even families who do have policies can find themselves on the hook for more than they imagined, paying out costly deductibles or maxing out caps.
Now, Texans are beginning the long process of recovery—and help is on the way.
The Realtors® Relief Foundation is joining recovery efforts, announcing a $500,000 disaster relief grant to support housing assistance for flood victims across central Texas. The funds will be distributed through eight local Realtor associations to help displaced residents cover housing payments as rebuilding begins.
“Following the tragic floods in Texas, we at the National Association of Realtors and the Realtors Relief Foundation are heartbroken at the lives lost and the communities devastated,” said RRF President Greg Hrabcak via press release. “NAR and RRF stand with Texans today, tomorrow, and in the months and years to come as we rebuild together.”
Since its founding in 2001, the RRF has disbursed more than $50 million in aid to over 26,000 families. The National Association of REALTORS® covers all administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to disaster victims. More information can be found at nar.realtor/rrf, and donations can be made by texting RRF4TX25 to 71777.
But this is just the start of how the community has come together.
What happened: The Central Texas flood disaster
Over the Fourth of July weekend, a historic storm dropped the equivalent of four months’ worth of rain in just a few hours across the Guadalupe River basin and surrounding Hill Country communities.
In some areas, the river surged more than 25 feet in two hours.
As of Tuesday, at least 132 people are confirmed dead, with more than 100 still missing. Dozens of homes were swept off their foundations, and several roadways sustained major damage. Officials say the final toll may not be known for weeks.
For many of the affected homeowners, the emotional toll is compounded by the financial shock. Flood insurance isn’t required in many of the areas that were hit, and it’s estimated that fewer than one in six Texas homeowners carry it. That means that the vast majority of those who lost homes or suffered major damage will receive little or no assistance from insurance companies.
How other businesses are responding
While some residents turn to crowdfunding to fill the gap, the home improvement industry is also stepping up to help. In the wake of the disaster, some of the first responders aren’t just firefighters or FEMA agents; they’re local hardware stores.
In Fredericksburg, Biedermann’s Ace Hardware and Lochte Feed & General Store were among the first to post public messages offering support and supplies to those affected. McCoy’s Building Supply, which operates in Kerrville, began distributing free cleanup kits stocked with bleach, gloves, and trash bags to help homeowners begin the long and dangerous task of cleaning up.
National retailers are stepping up, too. The Home Depot Foundation has pledged $250,000 to support relief efforts in central Texas. The organization is partnering with on-the-ground nonprofits like Team Rubicon, Operation Blessing, and World Central Kitchen to deliver essential supplies, coordinate volunteer efforts, and provide meals and cleanup support to displaced families.
“We are keeping everyone impacted by the floods in our thoughts and are committed to helping Central Texas recover,” Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, shared in a press release. “As waters recede, we’ll continue working with nonprofit partners to assess the full scope of damage and ensure needs are met.”
Rebuilding: What homeowners need most
The road ahead for Texas homeowners will be long. But right now, navigating FEMA’s aid process and finding temporary housing are both urgent hurdles for residents who have been displaced by the floods.
Amid the devastation, there are signs of resilience. Homeowners are banding together. Small businesses are offering what they can. And the broader housing and home improvement community is finding ways to meet this moment—not just with words, but with action.
For those looking to help, donations can be made to organizations like Team Rubicon, World Central Kitchen, and local food banks. And for homeowners impacted by the floods, FEMA applications and disaster recovery resources can be found at disasterassistance.gov.