As floodwaters surge through Kerr County, Texas, bringing destruction, displacement, and heartbreak, the Texas Tech University community has paused to acknowledge the magnitude of the moment—and to stand in unshakable solidarity with those impacted.
In a heartfelt statement that resonated deeply across the Lone Star State, university officials said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the severe flooding in Kerr County. We know members of our Red Raider family, including alumni, current students and those planning to join us this fall, call this area home. Words cannot adequately convey our concern for the loss and devastation experienced by these communities, but please know the Red Raider family stands with you.”
This message, while solemn, also carries an undeniable strength—an assurance that no member of the Red Raider family endures hardship alone.
A Region Reeling
The flooding in Kerr County began earlier this week after torrential downpours dumped over 10 inches of rain in a matter of hours. The Guadalupe River surged well above its banks, swallowing roads, homes, and local landmarks. Emergency services were stretched thin as first responders worked tirelessly to evacuate families, rescue stranded residents, and manage the chaos unfolding in real time.
According to early reports from local officials, multiple homes have been lost, infrastructure has been damaged, and thousands remain without power. The emotional toll is just as deep—many families have been displaced, unsure when or even if they’ll be able to return to their homes. Several schools in the area were forced to close, and local shelters are now overflowing with those seeking safety and support.
The Red Raider Connection
Kerr County may sit roughly 350 miles from Texas Tech’s Lubbock campus, but it is no less a part of the university’s heartbeat. Generations of Texas Tech alumni, current students, and future Red Raiders hail from towns like Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and Center Point—places now grappling with destruction on a scale few have ever experienced.
For these individuals and families, Texas Tech has long been a beacon—representing opportunity, progress, and community. And in their moment of need, that same community is reaching back.
“We see you. We are with you. And we will do what it takes to help you rebuild,” said a spokesperson from the Office of the President. “The spirit of the Masked Rider doesn’t ride alone—it gallops forward with every Red Raider who ever walked across the seal.”
Mobilizing Help and Hope
Almost immediately after news of the flooding broke, Texas Tech student organizations began mobilizing to provide relief:
-
The Student Government Association (SGA) has launched a campus-wide donation drive, collecting bottled water, non-perishable food, hygiene products, and blankets to be delivered directly to relief centers in Kerr County.
-
Raider Red’s Food Pantry has partnered with the South Plains Food Bank to help send emergency supply shipments to affected communities.
-
Tech Alumni chapters in Central Texas, the Hill Country, and the greater San Antonio region have begun organizing volunteer caravans and GoFundMe campaigns to assist families in recovery.
Meanwhile, university leadership has promised to provide flexibility and support for students from Kerr County whose lives have been upended by the disaster. This includes:
-
Emergency housing assistance for returning students,
-
Deadline extensions and special academic accommodations for the summer and fall terms,
-
And the creation of a Kerr County Relief Grant, a short-term financial aid program to help impacted students stay on track with their education.
Stories of Resilience
Within the devastation, there are glimmers of hope and heroism—many of which come from within the Red Raider family itself.
One such story comes from Samantha Ortiz, a junior biomedical engineering student from Kerrville. After floodwaters surrounded her family’s home, she and her father navigated chest-high waters to guide elderly neighbors to safety. She later told her professors in Lubbock, “It’s scary… but I kept thinking, I’m a Red Raider. We don’t run from the storm.”
Another comes from Joshua Meek, a Tech alum now working as a firefighter in Ingram. In just 48 hours, he and his crew rescued more than 30 residents, several of whom had climbed onto rooftops as water levels rose. “This is home,” he said. “You do what you can for home.”
Standing Firm in the Aftermath
Natural disasters often feel isolating. But moments like this serve as a reminder that the strength of a university is not just in its buildings or accolades—but in the humanity of its people.
In the wake of the Kerr County floods, Texas Tech has chosen empathy over indifference, and action over apathy.
This tragedy will take time to heal. Roads will need to be rebuilt. Homes repaired. Lives restored. But the message from the Red Raider community is clear: Kerr County is not alone.
The university is working closely with local governments, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to coordinate long-term support, ensuring this is not just a moment of solidarity—but a sustained effort toward recovery.
Final Thoughts: A Pledge in Crimson and Black
The Red Raider family extends far beyond Lubbock. It lives in every town, every family, and every heart that’s ever believed in the power of education, resilience, and shared identity.
And when disaster strikes, that bond does not weaken—it grows stronger.
So to the families of Kerr County: we see your pain, and we will carry it with you. We honor your courage. We mourn your losses. And we promise: the Red Raider family stands with you, now and always.
Wreck ‘em. Rebuild. Rise.