More than 130 people are dead with more than 160 missing; this includes victims from Camp Mystic, a private non-denominational Christian girls’ camp.
Edward Graham, chief operating officer at Samaritan’s Purse, spoke with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch about the work that they are doing in that area. The organization won’t be leaving soon, he said.
Graham emphasizes that Texas needs prayer from everyone.
“Nothing we say or, even our volunteers that are out working, mucking out homes, can do is really going to solve the problem of their hurt and brokenness, but prayer will,” Graham says.
The flood has left a brokenness in the area as residents have never seen destruction like this, he said.
“They're used to flash floods out there, but not to this level, not to this height. There are people there that didn't – they're in areas where you would never think of having flood insurance because you're that high and that far away from the river. But it came that far.”
People really did not have time to evacuate. One woman became aware that water was coming under her door at 4 A.M., and her bed was floating within seconds, Graham said.
Many blame President Donald Trump and DOGE budget cuts at the National Weather Service, saying NWS was unable to effectively spread the news of the incoming flood and save lives. NWS officials past and present and local meteorologists have refuted those claims.
People in the region aren’t talking about the politics of the situation, Graham said.
“You hear the politics of the early warning, not having early warning, but that's not what they're talking about. They weren't angry about that. They are just hurting for their neighbors,” says Graham.
Graham observes that, if anything, the hurt and devastation have brought Texans together.
“I saw Texans helping Texans. They're getting after it. There's heavy equipment, skid steers, excavators everywhere and volunteers out serving. Texas is a wonderful place, and they're loving on one another.”
Graham compares the damage to that caused by Hurricane Helene last September. Unlike the widespread damage in North Carolina, the landscape of Texas has limited the damage to a very narrow channel path.
“If you're not familiar with the hill country of Texas, it's very rocky. Water has nowhere to go, and it goes down these old washes into the Guadalupe River. But in this case, it was mostly funneled into the Guadalupe River, and that's where all the damage was predominantly that we saw. I saw a couple other areas, but nothing like Helene,” Grahams said.
Volunteers that have signed up to help and stay overnight are booked. While he appreciates that, Graham says they are not going anywhere anytime soon. He requests that people come locally to serve as day laborers.
“Right now, we're doing muck outs and mud outs. We're cutting back debris. We're mudding out the homes. We're taking the drywall. We're cutting it back, and we spray in the solution to prevent the mold from going in there. And so, there's several homes that we’ve got to do.”
Incredible workload remains
More work is to be done as Samaritan’s Purse helps rebuild trailer parks and mobile homes. They will assess those who are insured, non-insured, and underinsured to help people get back in their homes quickly. They are even helping people who have lost their cars.
Graham asks volunteers to stay engaged as relief efforts continue. If people want to get involved, Samaritan Purse will stay for an undetermined time.
“So, when the news cycle moves on to something else, just remember, Texas will still be hurting, and Samaritan's Purse will need your prayers. I know for a fact that Samaritan's Purse will stay there until the work is done long after everyone else has left,” Graham concludes.
