The catastrophic floods that struck Texas in early July 2025 left an indelible mark of sorrow on survivors. Dozens lost their lives, hundreds of families were torn apart, and heartrending stories emerged in the aftermath. Among them, the story of Brooke (11) and Blair (13) Harber, whose final messages to their parents shattered hearts. The simple words “I love you, Dad” and “I love you, Mom” were not only expressions of love but also the last memories of a family broken by the raging floodwaters.

The Texas Floods: A Natural Disaster

The July 2025 floods in Texas rank among the state’s worst natural disasters. According to The Washington Post, the five-day storm triggered severe flash flooding, claiming at least 104 lives by July 8. Rescue teams continued their tireless search for missing individuals amidst the wreckage, with fears that the death toll could rise further.

Areas near rivers, including the Casa Bonita cabin community where the Harber family was vacationing, were among the hardest hit. Relentless heavy rain, coupled with thunder and lightning, transformed peaceful retreats into scenes of chaos and destruction.

The Harber Family’s Tragedy

RJ Harber, a 45-year-old Dallas lawyer, could never have imagined that a family camping trip to Casa Bonita would become his life’s most painful memory. The Harber family had owned a cabin there since 2020, a place where they enjoyed kayaking, fishing, and creating cherished memories. But in the early hours of July 4, nature unleashed its fury.

A Terrifying Night

At around 3:30 AM, RJ awoke to the sound of torrential rain and thunder. Earlier, he had received flash flood warnings for nearby areas but not for Casa Bonita. Stepping onto the cabin floor, he felt water already 10 centimeters deep. Looking out the window, he saw the water level just 60 centimeters below the sill.

“Annie, the cabin’s flooding,” RJ told his wife, who was lying awake beside him. They tried to open the front door, but the water pressure made it impossible. Acting quickly, RJ and Annie grabbed their phones and a bag, then escaped through a window. Within two minutes, the water had risen to Annie’s neck.

The couple ran to a nearby cabin on slightly higher ground, banging on the door to wake the family inside. As that family opened the door, water was already nearing the threshold. RJ and Annie continued to another cabin, alerting a third family to the danger. Their swift actions saved multiple lives, but RJ knew his daughters, Brooke and Blair, along with his parents, Mike and Charlene Harber, were still in a cabin closer to the river, about 30 meters away.

A Desperate Rescue Attempt

Borrowing a kayak, life jacket, and flashlight, RJ set out to reach his daughters. Halfway there, a powerful wave slammed him into a pillar. “I shone my flashlight and saw white water everywhere,” RJ recounted. “I’ve kayaked a lot, so I knew reaching their cabin was impossible.”

He saw a neighboring cabin torn from its foundation, lodged against the one where his daughters and parents were. Cars, trees, and debris floated past in the churning waters. “I knew if I paddled one more stroke, I’d be dead,” RJ said. Heartbroken, he turned back to ensure the safety of his wife and the other families.

The Final Messages

After guiding Annie and the others to a house on higher ground, RJ checked his phone. At 3:30 AM, his youngest daughter, Brooke, had sent a miraculous message given the area’s poor cell reception: “I love you, Dad.” Annie, 43, a staff member at St. Rita Catholic School where both girls studied, received similar messages from Brooke and Blair: “I love you, Mom.” Even the girls’ grandfather in Michigan received a text saying “Love you” with a photo of the girls with him.

These brief messages, sent amidst the chaos, became the family’s final connection to Brooke and Blair, a bittersweet miracle in a night of terror.

A Heartbreaking Aftermath

As dawn broke, the receding waters revealed the extent of the devastation. Of the more than 20 cabins in Casa Bonita, only a few remained standing. The cabin where Brooke, Blair, and their grandparents had been was completely swept away, leaving only a bare foundation.

The bodies of Brooke and Blair were found approximately 20 kilometers from the site. As of the afternoon of July 6, RJ’s parents remained missing. The Harber family was plunged into unimaginable grief. “Sadly, all those beautiful memories at Casa Bonita have now become painful ones,” RJ said.

The Broader Impact

The Texas floods obliterated homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Rescue operations faced immense challenges due to harsh weather and flooded terrain. Experts warned that the death toll could climb as remote areas were reached.

The Harber family’s story is one of many emerging from the disaster. It highlights not only nature’s cruelty but also human courage and familial love in the face of life-and-death moments. RJ, though unable to save his daughters, saved others, embodying selflessness and responsibility.

Memories and Lessons

Casa Bonita was once a haven for the Harber family, filled with laughter, kayaking adventures, and fishing trips. Now, it stands as a symbol of loss and devastation. The tragedy underscores the growing threat of climate change and the need for improved flood preparedness, from better infrastructure to more effective early warning systems.

For the Harber family, the final messages from Brooke and Blair—“I love you, Dad,” “I love you, Mom,” and “Love you”—will remain both a precious keepsake and an enduring wound. These simple words, sent in the face of impending tragedy, are a testament to a family’s unbreakable bond, even in the face of death.