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In Comfort, Texas, a father clears the way after deadly flooding
The death toll in the Hill Country of Texas is now over 100 people across six counties. In Kendall County, residents are stepping in to help.
COMFORT, Texas — While much of the focus remains on Kerr County following the deadly flash flooding, just downstream along the Guadalupe River, the damage stretches into Kendall County. In the small community of Comfort, Texas, locals are stepping up.
Kelly Gonzalez was among those navigating flood debris near Cypress Creek, which feeds into the Guadalupe. Chainsaw in hand, he carved through massive fallen trees, some 30 to 50 feet tall, that were ripped from the ground during the violent storm.
“As of Mother’s Day, we were just down here,” he said. “These pecan trees… the amount of power for those things to be pushed over is unreal.”
The Guadalupe River surged to 34 feet in this part of the Hill Country, according to WFAA meteorologists.
“I have a company that’s proficient with chainsaws,” he said. “If we can all help clear a path for search and rescue, it makes it easier for everyone.”
Gonzalez lives nearby and knows how deeply rooted Camp Mystic is in the community.
“Absolutely everybody in this area knows Camp Mystic,” he said. “I have a nine-year-old daughter. I can’t imagine being a parent waiting to hear if they found my daughter or not.”
By Monday evening, Kendall County officials confirmed six people had died due to the flooding.
“Although there have been six recoveries, there are no confirmed missing Kendall County residents as of today,” Brady Constantine with the Kendall County Office of Emergency Management said. “Identification is pending on the six individuals recovered.”
“Our focus is on search, rescue, and recovery,” Constantine said at a Monday afternoon news briefing.
Gonzalez feels scared each time he pulls up a tree limb. “You never know what you’re going to turn over here in two seconds,” he said, pausing between cutting branches. “A lot of the pathways haven’t been cleared so that’s what I’m doing here today to try to make it easier for the dogs and people to get through.”
He hopes his efforts will help first responders as they reach this part of the creek and river to search for missing loved ones. “Everybody’s praying for them. That’s all we can do—is pray.”