The devastation hit fast. Over the July 4th weekend, a flash flood surged through Texas Hill Country, claiming more than 120 lives and leaving at least 170 people still missing.
Entire homes were swept away. Families were separated. Campers at a girls’ summer camp in Kerr County were among the hardest hit.
Amid the chaos, a growing number of real estate professionals, from individual agents to national brokerages, have been leading the charge to help. One of them is Katie Wilsey, a Compass agent in Austin, who described herself as “heartbroken and helpless” after the flood.
But within 48 hours of posting on social media, she had rallied more than 300 volunteers and filled her garage with disaster relief kits.
Wilsey is one example of real estate professionals stepping up in one way or another to help people in their community affected by the Texas floods.
Read on to see how.
From One Social Post to 300 Volunteers in 48 Hours
Wilsey started with a modest goal: build 50 flood relief kits. But within two days, she had more than 300 people donating diapers, formula, snacks, towels, bug spray, and even stuffed animals for kids.
Real estate agents from multiple brokerages stepped up to help assemble the bags, which were modeled after a similar initiative Wilsey led during Hurricane Harvey.
“Tomorrow, I will have four different agents from three different brokerages helping me stuff these bags. So it’s all over. It’s not just my brokerage either. I mean, agents are showing up big time right now.
“These are our communities, right? I live here, I work here, I donate here. That’s what it’s all about.”
Century 21 Integra Turns Offices into Aid Stations
Jim D’Amico of Century 21 Integra activated his nonprofit, Fresh Start, and turned four Hill Country offices into supply collection hubs. Agents gathered bottled water and nonperishables for delivery to Kerrville, while fundraising efforts began almost immediately.
D’Amico pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations with the long-term goal of raising $100,000.
“This is a situation where there’s no amount of money that can help heal some of the losses that have taken place in this particular catastrophe, and honestly, you know, prayers are probably more needed than anything else to help people deal with the loss of their children and other loved ones.”
KW Cares Provides Grants and Support for First Responders
KW Cares, the charitable arm of Keller Williams, began by checking on the safety of all agents in affected areas. CEO Alexia Rodriguez confirmed that all were accounted for, and the organization quickly pivoted to offering financial assistance: up to $5,000 in emergency grants and $30,000 for catastrophic hardship.
“We can’t be boots on the ground because it’s not appropriate for us to do so right now. But we do want to take care of the folks that are taking care of the community.”
KW Cares also donated $150,000 to Texas Search and Rescue and Mercy Chefs. Starting this week, they’re feeding first responders through their Kerrville business center.
Fairway Mortgage Commits $1 Million and Challenges Peers to Match It
With 170 people still missing and the death toll climbing, Fairway Home Mortgage announced a $1 million donation through Wood Group Gives, one of its local nonprofit partners. The company also called on other mortgage lenders doing business in Texas to step up.
From Brad Dragoo, Fairway’s senior vice president and area manager:
“It is truly humbling to be part of a company that makes this kind of contribution. We always pay lip service to how we’re here to serve. But it’s times like this when those words need to mean something.”
Coordinated Statewide Support from Texas Realtors and National Brands
Texas Realtors is working with NAR and local associations to channel resources through the Texas Realtors Disaster Relief Fund. Leaders say the goal is to get immediate aid to the hardest-hit communities. Many of these areas are rural and difficult to access.
Other major players, including RE/MAX, Compass, Douglas Elliman, Epique Realty, and Ebby Halliday are directing their networks to verified nonprofits and encouraging agent-led fundraising efforts.
Beyond the Headlines: What Recovery Really Looks Like
Spyglass Realty’s Ryan Rodenbeck, who is raising money for several area nonprofits, urged fellow agents to use their platforms to keep the story alive.
“It’s going to take a long time to get all of that cleaned up. So many people lost their businesses, their livelihoods, and their family members. We have to raise awareness and keep raising awareness.
“A lot of brokerages have newsletters, and we can use them to keep the story alive and fresh in people’s minds. People are going to be hurting from this for a long time.”
REAL’s Jemila Winsey echoed the sentiment, noting that even small gestures like a text, a supply run, or a social media post linking to verified fundraisers can make a lasting impact.
“Whatever it is, big or small, someone out there could really use it. You don’t have to do everything. But doing something from the heart really makes a difference.”
What Can You Do?
Whether you’re an agent in Texas or hundreds of miles away, there’s something you can do to help. Donate to KW Cares, the Texas Realtors Disaster Relief Fund, or verified local funds like the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
Share posts, connect people to resources, or offer your time if you’re nearby.
