safety
Last year’s Hill Country floods traumatized Texas first responders. Then the skies opened again.
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Ellie Ashby, The Texas Tribune , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 22, 2026
· 8 min read
One year after volunteer firefighter Razor Dobbs scoured the Texas Hill Country for victims of a devastating early morning flood, he stood before an elderly couple reluctant to evacuate their Center Point-area home as rain pounded and thunder crashed. It was around 3 a.m. Thursday, and in the dar...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Ellie Ashby, The Texas Tribune, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Dobbs, familiar with the damage floodwater can inflict on the human body, refused to allow this couple to share the fate of more than 130 people who were killed in July 2025.
Why this matters in The Waco
The repeated flooding in the Texas Hill Country has significant implications for Waco's emergency response systems, as neighboring counties like Kerr County often rely on regional support during disasters. The trauma experienced by first responders in Center Point and surrounding areas can have a ripple effect on the entire region, including McLennan County, where Waco is located. As local authorities assess the damage and provide aid to affected areas, they must also consider the long-term psychological toll on emergency personnel. The fact that volunteer firefighters like Razor Dobbs and Darcy Hasty are seeking therapy to cope with their experiences highlights the need for robust mental health resources for first responders in Waco and beyond. As the city reviews its own emergency preparedness plans, it would be wise to prioritize the well-being of its responders, recognizing that their ability to respond effectively in future disasters depends on it.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 8 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? One year after volunteer firefighter Razor Dobbs scoured the Texas Hill Country for victims of a devastating early morning flood, he stood before an elderly couple reluctant to evacuate their Center Point-area home as rain pounded and thunder crashed. It was around 3 a.m. Thursday, and in the dar...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ellie Ashby, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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