Texas Flood Disaster: Chabad of Boerne Leads Relief Effort as Death Toll Hits 91
Chabad of Boerne has become a central hub for flood relief in Texas Hill Country, coordinating aid for survivors and responders after devastating floods killed 91 and left dozens missing. The Jewish center’s rapid response, alongside community and celebrity support, aids recovery efforts in Kerr County and beyond.
In the wake of catastrophic flash floods that ravaged Texas Hill Country over the July 4, 2025, weekend, killing at least 91 people and devastating communities, Chabad of Boerne has emerged as a critical lifeline for survivors and first responders. The Jewish community center, founded three years ago by Rabbi Yossi and Malky Marrus in Boerne, Texas, has swiftly converted its modest facility into a dynamic aid distribution center, located just miles from the flood-stricken areas of Kerr County. The floods, triggered by 10-12 inches of rain in hours, caused the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, including parts of Camp Mystic, where 10 girls and one counselor remain missing as of July 7, 2025.
Rabbi Marrus, with support from Rabbi Avraham Berkowitz, has rallied volunteers to gather and distribute essential supplies, including food, clothing, and blankets, to those affected. The center has partnered with local officials, businesses, and nonprofits like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to meet urgent needs. A statement from Chabad’s social media read, “With the aid of Rabbi Avraham Berkowitz, Chabad of Boerne has coordinated with local elected officials and businesses to bring much-needed aid to victims, survivors and first responders.” Volunteers like Alma Garcia from San Antonio have delivered home-cooked meals, with Garcia noting, “The destruction is more than we thought it was going to be.” Over 850 people have been rescued, many by helicopter, as search efforts continue for missing individuals, including children from Camp Mystic, where 27 campers and counselors were confirmed dead.
The disaster, deemed a “once in a generation” event by officials, prompted President Donald Trump to issue a federal disaster declaration, unlocking resources for Kerr County and 14 others. Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the ravaged Camp Mystic, said, “We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.” Community efforts, bolstered by donations from figures like Shakira and the Dallas Cowboys’ $500,000 contribution, reflect the region’s resilience amid grief.