Texas Volunteer Rebuilds 34 Homes After Second Major F...

When 600 homes flooded in Kerrville, Texas for the second time in just over a year, Courtney Calhoun grabbed her tools and got to work. She's already rebuilt 34 homes and isn't slowing down.

Calhoun walks through her community asking neighbors what they need, then connects them with resources and does the construction work herself. Many of the damaged homes in the Doyle District date back to the early 1900s, making repairs even more challenging.

One family's story shows why this work matters so much. Maria lost three family members in last year's flood, and this year's flooding hit her family again. Calhoun worked for weeks to make their cottage livable so Maria and her six family members could finally come home.

"You can see the hundreds of people and you can't help them all, but you can help one," said Mark Roye, who works with Somebody Cares America and is helping Calhoun finish homes. President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for 19 Texas counties in September, but FEMA assistance remains under review, leaving families waiting.

Texas Volunteer Rebuilds 34 Homes After Second Major Flood

The delays have taken a toll. Local recovery groups report an uptick in suicide attempts as people face the overwhelming task of rebuilding twice in such a short time. That's why volunteers like Calhoun and Roye keep showing up.

The Ripple Effect

Calhoun's work has sparked an outpouring of community generosity. The cabinets, fridge, and oven in Maria's cottage came from strangers who heard about the need and sent supplies. People who've never met Maria wanted to help bring her family home.

Maria's family became the first in the Doyle District to move back into their home after the flood. Calhoun has been living off her savings while she rebuilds, working through exhaustion because sitting still feels impossible.

"I can't be here and not help," she said. While official assistance moves slowly, this tight-knit community is proving that neighbors helping neighbors can create real change, one rebuilt home at a time.