A severe flood devastated a family home in Hunt, Texas, forcing 94-year-old Betty Matteson and her loved ones to evacuate as waters surged from the nearby Guadalupe River. The flooding, described as a catastrophic event, has left the family grappling with the loss of their cherished residence, known affectionately as “Casa Del Rio.”
For over five decades, Matteson’s home has been a gathering place for her family. Celebrations, including last May’s wedding of her granddaughter, have taken place under the trees that surround the property. However, on the morning of July 4, 2023, their festivities turned into a desperate escape. Rising waters forced Matteson, along with seven family members and several pets, into the attic as debris filled their three-story house.
The Guadalupe River reached nearly 30 feet, resulting in significant destruction throughout the area. Tragically, over 120 people have lost their lives due to the floods, with at least 150 still missing. After hours of waiting, Matteson and her family were rescued, but their home was left severely damaged.
The aftermath revealed a heart-wrenching scene. The once-vibrant home now lies under mud and debris, with furniture and personal belongings scattered along the property. Matteson’s granddaughter, Shannon Swindle, described the devastation in a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting their recovery efforts. “The land didn’t just flood; it became a collection point for destruction from all directions,” she wrote.
With no flood insurance, the family faces an estimated $500,000 in repair costs. Swindle noted that flood insurance is often unaffordable, especially in high-risk areas like Kerr County, where only 2% of residents are covered. Matteson had been renting out a cottage on the property to help with expenses but could not keep up with the rising costs of flood insurance, which ranged from $6,000 to $8,000 annually.
The family’s ties to the property stretch back nearly a century, with Matteson’s husband’s parents purchasing a neighboring house in 1929. “I’ve just been holding on for dear life because it was just an exceptionally beautiful, calming, peaceful place,” she expressed shortly after the flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that only 4% of homes nationwide have flood insurance, highlighting a significant gap in preparedness.
As climate change contributes to the increasing frequency of severe weather events, Texas Governor Greg Abbott characterized the flooding as a “1-in-100-year event.” Yet, such disasters have become more commonplace, with recent flash floods also affecting North Carolina, Illinois, and New Mexico this month.
Despite the risks, Matteson’s family is determined to rebuild. They acknowledge the potential for future floods but emphasize the importance of their memories attached to the home. “If it’s something that you love so much and so dearly, there’s so many memories that saying goodbye is like almost not an option,” Swindle shared, emphasizing their emotional connection to the property.
Barry Adelman, Matteson’s grandson, echoed this sentiment, stating that the house is integral to his identity and that he hopes the younger generation can experience the same joy he did growing up. “Love is blind,” he admitted, acknowledging the emotional weight of their decision.
While the family is hopeful for assistance from FEMA, they recognize it may not cover the full extent of their rebuilding costs. Matteson, currently staying with her daughter, is navigating the financial implications of the disaster. Her daughter, Sherry Matteson, remains optimistic about their ability to restore the home, insisting that fear of future disasters should not dictate their lives. “You can’t live your life afraid of what might happen. You have to live your life the best you can,” she affirmed.
As the family faces the arduous journey of recovery, their resilience and determination to reclaim their cherished home stands as a testament to the power of love and family bonds in the face of adversity.
