‘Lost everything': Williamson Co. family reflects after San Gabriel flooded home
'That bottom building that metal building that is our home,' said Montana Perales, who lived along the river in Weir, which is in Williamson County.
Perales said it's hard to think about the impact the flooding had on her family.
'It would have been over my head,' said Perales as she described how high the water got in her downstairs apartment. 'It is devastating.'
Her husband, three kids and their dog all had to leave their apartment when water started to rise.
'We started packing up as little as we could and we grabbed a few clothes and I grabbed my kids' favorite stuffies,' Perales said.
They managed to get out OK, but their home was flooded.
'I mean we lost everything,' Perales said. 'All of our furniture, our main family vehicle.'
LIVE BLOG: Texas community continues to grieve, works to assess damages after flood event
She lost clothes, appliances, toys for her kids and their beds as well. She said it's difficult to answer her kids when they ask why they are staying in a hotel for so long.
'It's hard on them for sure,' Perales said. 'We had just bought my son a new bed, a big boy bed. He's 3, and he was so excited about it, and of course that is ruined.'
On Friday the city of Leander held a press conference to talk about the flooding along the San Gabriel.
'It's never been this high,' said Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle.'I have lived here 15 years and I have never seen it this high.'
Perales said she's now staying positive as they work to rebuild their life.
'We are very blessed that we were all able to make it out. Not many people were as blessed as we are, but now we don't know what to do,' Perales said.
Perales said her husband was looking for work, but he has now been focused on the aftermath of the flooding. He works as a software developer and is now trying to find a job.
If you would like to help the family you can donate here.
The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said on social media Gov. Greg Abbott announced Williamson County was added to the updated Presidential Disaster Declaration after the July 5 flood.
'Residents can now apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at http://DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362.'
In another social media post, the emergency management said the Williamson County Commissioners Court 'approved the extension of its local state of disaster for an additional 60 days during a special meeting on Friday, July 11.'
Additionally, commissioners approved up to $200,000 in landfill vouchers that will assist with flood clean-up. To learn more about the vouchers, visit the county website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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