Aftermath of the Guadalupe River Flood
A teddy bear, covered in dirt.
A pair of cowgirl boots.
An old photo album with pictures damaged by the floodwaters.
In the Texas Hill Country, as the search for loved ones lost to the Guadalupe River ends, the search for their belongings begins.
The Search for Belongings
Volunteers along the riverbanks are uncovering mementos scattered by the floodwaters when the river swelled more than 20 feet in 45 minutes on July 4.
For those still searching for loved ones, the quest for belongings is far less important. But for families grieving a loss or rebuilding their lives, some find comfort in what was swept away by the river.
Tracking Lost and Found Items
“People are looking to recover items, but it isn’t actually the item,” wrote DeAnna Kaye Lindsay, a Facebook group administrator, in a post. She administers the group to track lost and found items near the Guadalupe.
“It is the memories and feelings those items bring,” she wrote. “Many have lost everything they have and just want something familiar to gain some sense of normalcy.” Lindsay did not respond to requests for comment Friday.
Facebook Group for Lost and Found Items
In the Facebook group for lost and found “personal effects” along the river, more than 21,000 people have joined in the quest to “unite owners and loved ones with their belongings,” the page’s description states.
The page, “FOUND on the Guadalupe River,” has amassed hundreds of posts in less than a week.
Items Found by Volunteers
One post identifies Janie Hunt’s pink sneaker, her name printed on rainbow tape, found by a volunteer. Janie was a 9-year-old camper who died in the flood.
One volunteer posted a photo of a quilt found near Camp La Junta. Others posted images of a suitcase of Barbie dolls found near a state highway; a red “Heart o’ the Hills” banner found in the dirt; a stuffed lamb, cleaned by its finders.
Other Groups Joining the Effort
Other groups are joining the effort to bring comfort.
The Lost Stuffy Project, an organization that helps reunite families with lost stuffed animals in the aftermath of disasters, has posted images of several lost and found toys from Camp Mystic on its own account. The nonprofit did the same for California children following devastating wildfires.
Desperate Pleas and Joyful Reunions
In some posts on the organization’s Instagram, parents search for replica toys to replace animals lost in the flood.
“Our daughter lost her ‘guppie’ she’s had since birth in the tragic flash flooding at Camp Mystic,” wrote one parent under a photo of a pink poodle. “It’s the thing she misses most.”
On Facebook, a mother asked about her daughter’s lost, bright blue monogrammed trunk from camp. Another posted the image of a chest painted purple with “Mary Jayne” in pink letters across the top.
One post shows a single size 7.5 toddler shoe, once white, now brown with mud. A blue croc, with “Camp Mystic” written on a plastic heart in its toe.
Crinkled baby photos.
A missing wedding ring.
The comments reveal a few joyful reunions — “This is my son’s,” wrote one parent about a white stuffed bunny. “That’s my shirt,” wrote another.
There are also desperate pleas.
“My friend lost her daughter in the flood and the only thing they are hoping to be reunited with are her cowboy boots,” wrote one woman.
Along with the post was a photo zoomed in on the little girl’s tiny brown boots, the leather embroidered with flowers.
Conclusion
The Guadalupe River flood has left a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. As the search for loved ones comes to an end, the search for their belongings begins. For many families, finding these lost items brings a sense of comfort and normalcy in a time of great tragedy. The Facebook group and other organizations are working tirelessly to reunite owners with their lost belongings, and the community is coming together to support those affected by the flood.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of the search for loved ones lost in the Guadalupe River flood?
A: At least 103 people have been found dead in Kerr County, and officials estimate as many as 161 remain missing in the aftermath of the flood.
Q: How can I help victims of the Guadalupe River flood?
A: You can help by donating to organizations such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, or by volunteering your time to help with the cleanup and recovery efforts.
Q: What is the Facebook group for lost and found items near the Guadalupe River?
A: The Facebook group is called “FOUND on the Guadalupe River” and has over 21,000 members. The group is dedicated to uniting owners and loved ones with their belongings that were lost in the flood.
Q: How can I get in touch with the Lost Stuffy Project?
A: You can get in touch with the Lost Stuffy Project through their Instagram account or by visiting their website. They are a nonprofit organization that helps reunite families with lost stuffed animals in the aftermath of disasters.
