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fter devastating floods hit central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, Austin real estate agent Katie Wilsey transformed her grief into grassroots relief. Witnessing the destruction near her home in Travis County and surrounding areas, Wilsey felt compelled to act.

    Within 48 hours of posting about her efforts on social media, Wilsey had rallied over 300 people to donate supplies and support assembling flood relief kits for impacted families. The kits included essentials like diapers, wipes, towels, and formula, as well as handwritten Bible verses, stickers, and stuffed animals.

    Rescue efforts continued as the search for more than 170 missing people stretched into a sixth day, with at least 120 confirmed dead. President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration, activating support from FEMA. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a 90-day foreclosure moratorium on FHA-insured mortgages in the disaster area.

    Wilsey's efforts drew support from near and far, including her real estate colleagues and people outside of Texas. "These are our communities," she said. "I live here, I work here, I donate here. That's what it's all about."

    The flooding caused widespread destruction, with scenes resembling hurricanes or tornado damage. Wilsey witnessed loss of property, including homes and RVs, as well as chaos near area lakes where docks were running free.

    Amidst the devastation, Wilsey saw resilience in the community. "There's the saying, 'Texans helping Texans' – it's more than just a phrase," she said. "It really is a way of life."

    Wilsey noted that many hard-hit areas are small, rural towns difficult to reach. She urged her peers to continue contributing financially and with muscle power to aid in the recovery efforts.

    As her garage fills with donated goods, Wilsey's sense of helplessness has given way to determination. "I'm not helpless," she repeated. "None of us are, if we decide not to be."