July 13, 2025.

Armies of Texan volunteers are leading flood recovery and cleanup, supplementing official efforts even as more flooding hits and the search for the missing continues. One devastated property resembles a construction site as equipment operators clear debris. An Army unit from Fort Hood scraped mud out of the cabin while other people yanked away drywall. A Bible study group from San Antonio hand-washed tools from someone’s barn. A woman carefully wiped clean old photo negatives, hoping to preserve a couple’s memories. The hard labor in the sweltering Texas summer heat includes the debris removal and remediation often done by hired contractors but out of reach for households lacking insurance. Many survivors said it is simply too expensive.