When disaster strikes far from home, it’s easy to feel disconnected—until familiar voices break through the headlines. These people could be our former classmates or neighbors, friends or family, or maybe community volunteers. Suddenly, the disaster doesn’t feel so far away anymore.
Three people with links to Stockbridge—Meghan Gerisch, Lori Osborne and Darren Cowan—now live in Texas. While the recent catastrophic flooding was far worse than normal, all three are aware of the danger of flash flooding in the region.
On the July 4 holiday weekend, flash floods killed at least 135 people in Texas. Hardest hit was Kerr County along the Guadalupe River, about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio. In Kerrville, Texas, the water rose more than 26 feet in less than an hour just before daybreak, washing away homes, businesses, vehicles and people, with a terrifying force. Camp Mystic, a 100-year-old Christian girls camp located along the river, lost at least 27 campers and counselors…