Natural disasters can be terrifying. If you've turned on the TV or been online, you're likely aware that in early July 2025, heavy rains and sudden flash floods swept through communities across Central Texas. Kerr County and towns along the Guadalupe River were hit especially hard. Rising water swept into neighborhoods, campgrounds, and places that had stood for generations.

The tragedy at Camp Mystic made national headlines. However, the heartbreak extends far beyond any single location. Families across Texas are grieving loved ones. Others are left picking through what's left of their homes, trying to understand how everything changed so quickly.

As the stories of loss and bravery have spread, people everywhere have felt this heartbreak. Even if you live far away, it is hard not to be moved by what has happened. In times like these, we are reminded just how much we all share in each other's pain.

When we think of grief, we often picture losing a loved one. And in the Central Texas floods, many families are mourning the heartbreaking deaths of children, friends, and neighbors. Grief also comes from other losses they are experiencing, such as:

• The loss of safety, security, and familiarity
• The loss of treasured possessions and places filled with memories
• The loss of routines and plans for the future

In large-scale tragedies, grief often comes tangled with shock, anxiety, and helplessness. People may feel numb, overwhelmed, or confused about surviving when others did not. These reactions are normal, even if they don't always resemble grief in the way we typically expect.

Each person's experience is unique. Two neighbors standing side by side may feel entirely different about what they lost and what it means. Allow yourself and others the space to process without criticism, minimizing judgment and allowing for a more open and supportive environment.

After a disaster, the focus quickly shifts to cleanup and rebuilding. This urgency can make it feel like everyone is supposed to move on emotionally as well. But grief doesn't follow a timeline or neat stages.

You might be surprised by waves of sadness or frustration months or years later. You may find yourself struggling to make decisions or feeling disconnected from other people. This doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. It means you're human.

While you can't change what happened, you can take steps to heal your heart:

• Acknowledge what you're grieving, whether it's a painful death, fear, your home, or security.
• Please share your experience with someone who will listen without trying to fix it. Even if you feel numb or overwhelmed, the connection can be a grounding experience.
• Remember that your energy, focus, or patience may be limited at this time. Be gentle with yourself.
• The Grief Recovery Method provides evidence-based tools to help you navigate the pain of loss in a safe and supportive environment.

Even though it might feel like it, you aren't alone. There is hope, and there is help. Healing is possible, even when this natural disaster has taken so much.

If you'd like to learn more about how The Grief Recovery Method can help you move through the pain of disaster-related losses, please reach out. You don't have to navigate this alone.

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