Aunt Of Sisters Who Lost Their Lives in Texas Floods Shares Heartbreaking Detail of Their Remains

By The Hyperhive

|

8 July 2025

Texas Floods Sisters Tragedy

© GoFundMe

Save Post

The Fourth of July weekend in 2025 was meant to be a time of celebration in Texas, but for many families, it turned into a nightmare.

Heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, leading to devastating floods in Central Texas.

Among the many lives lost were two young sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, whose story has touched hearts across the nation.

Their family shared a detail that captures the depth of their bond, leaving communities in mourning.

Texas Floods Sisters Tragedy: Faith and Family in the Face of Disaster

On July 4, 2025, the Guadalupe River in Kerr County surged over 26 feet in less than an hour, catching residents and campers off guard.

Blair, 13, and Brooke, 11, were staying with their grandparents in a cabin in the Casa Bonita community in Hunt, Texas. Their parents, RJ and Annie Harber, were in a nearby cabin.

Around 3:30 a.m., Brooke sent a final text to her family, saying, “I love you.” As the floodwaters rose, the sisters climbed to the loft of their cabin, holding their rosaries for comfort.

Their parents narrowly escaped by breaking a window as water poured into their own cabin, but they couldn’t reach the girls or their grandparents in time.

The floods were relentless, washing away homes, vehicles, and lives. By Friday morning, Kerr County reported at least 84 deaths, including 28 children, with many more missing.

The Harber sisters were among those swept away by the raging waters. Their grandparents, Mike and Charlene Harber, remain unaccounted for, adding to the family’s grief.

A Bond That Endured

Texas Floods Sisters Tragedy
© GoFundMe

How did the family of the sisters cope with the tragedy of losing them, as well as their grandparents, in the Texas Floods?

Twelve hours after the floods struck, rescuers found Blair and Brooke’s bodies 15 miles downstream in Kerrville.

Their aunt, Jennifer Harber, wrote on GoFundMe:

“My brother and his wife Annie identified the bodies of my nieces Blair age 13 and Brooke age 11 yesterday afternoon about 12 hours after the flood that started the morning of July 4th at 3:30am. My parents Mike and Charlene Harber have not been found as of now. Prayers are needed so we can bring them home.”

She also shared a heartbreaking detail: the sisters were found with their hands locked together, still clutching their rosaries.

“When they were found, their hands were locked together,” the aunt said.

This image of their unbreakable bond has become a symbol of love and faith for their community at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, where the girls studied.

The school issued a statement saying, “Even in their last moments, they held tightly to each other, a powerful symbol of their lasting bond and their trust in God.”

The tragedy also struck Camp Mystic, a nearby Christian girls’ summer camp, where at least 27 campers and staff lost their lives, and 10 girls remain missing.

The camp, a beloved Texas tradition, was devastated as floodwaters tore through cabins. Across the region, families are grappling with loss, and search efforts continue as hope fades for finding survivors.

Community Support and Resilience

Texas Floods Trump

The Central Texas community has rallied to support those affected. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, set up by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, is collecting donations to aid recovery efforts.

Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency, and President Donald Trump approved federal assistance for rescue operations.

Local organizations like World Central Kitchen are providing meals to families waiting for news of their loved ones.

The Harber family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and support their ongoing search for Mike and Charlene. St. Rita Catholic School plans a joint funeral for Blair and Brooke, honoring their memory.

Despite the immense loss, the community draws strength from stories like the sisters’, whose love for each other shines through even in tragedy.

The Texas floods have left scars that will take years to heal, but the resilience of families and communities offers hope.

As Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said, “This will be a rough week, but we remain hopeful for every foot, every mile, every bend of the river.”

You might also want to read: What Makes the Guadalupe River So Prone to Flash Flooding Compared to Other Texas Rivers?

The Hyperhive

Bzz! This busy bee is on a mission to make your reading experience as vibrant and colorful as a blooming meadow. 🐝

Share