Stories from the Floods

THLA is collecting stories from our members on how they are supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts in their communities. Please feel free to send us yours at thla@texaslodging.com.

Hotels can play a crucial role in natural disaster relief, providing shelter, resources, and support to affected communities, including those impacted by recent floods and other natural disasters in Texas.

By leveraging existing infrastructure and hospitality expertise, a well-prepared hotel with well-trained staff can make a significant contribution to disaster relief recovery and community rebuilding.

See how hotels play an important role in disaster relief in their communities, and suggestions on how to prepare your hotel.

The Front Desk to the Front Lines: How We Helped After the Floods

by Anita Oritz Lubke, Co-Owner, Stonewall Motor Lodge

When the floods hit Central Texas over the July 4th weekend, our hearts broke watching the devastation unfold just 45 minutes from our front door.

Like many, we didn’t expect to be directly involved—our lodge sits outside the hardest-hit areas, tucked into the quiet town of Stonewall. 

A local B&B complex in nearby Luckenbach—The Full Moon Inn—quickly became a de facto coordinator for rescue worker lodging. We added our name to their list of available lodging, and the need was instantaneous. We’re just 10 minutes down the road from them.

That night, we welcomed six out-of-state rescue workers and their search dog. They had just arrived and had nowhere to go. That’s what is happening here. People are just arriving with ready hands, equipment and machinery. Ready to help with no knowledge where they will stay or eat.  Our cleaning partner, Cozi Vacation Rentals, sent out a full crew of 4 in the late evening hours so we could take people in.  Over the next few days, we housed more than a dozen rescue and recovery personnel, including heavy equipment operators and volunteers who were digging through debris and helping devastated communities begin the long road to recovery.  All with no charge.

And then came a mother and her son—displaced from her daughter’s home just 300 feet from the river. She told us she was woken by her daughter in the early morning hours after a flood alert pinged her phone. The river still appeared calm, so they began gathering essentials just in case. Ten minutes later, they heard what she described as “a loud machine.” Her son-in-law checked the back of the house—water was already coming in.

They barely escaped as the flood overtook the home and front yard. She came to us with almost nothing. She had already lost her husband to cancer during COVID and had just lost her mother last year. Now, she and her son are decompressing in a quiet space after a frightening week, losing most of what they had, and trying to figure out where they go from here. We offered them a room for as long as they needed it—and they remain with us today as they wait for FEMA assistance and begin looking for housing and work.

Wanting to do more, we launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $5,000. We hoped to cover some expenses for this displaced family and provide supplies to nearby fire departments and volunteer organizations. To our surprise, we hit the goal in just 24 hours. Donations poured in from past guests, friends, and even a former visitor who contributed $1,000. Then one of our co-owners quietly offered to match the first $5,000 raised.

Together, we raised $10,425—and the money was immediately put to use. The next day, my husband, Lance Lubke and I, raided 6 WalMarts and a Sam’s Club.  We delivered supplies to the Center Point Middle School and Comfort Volunteer Fire Department, including:

1. CoolWraps, Liquid IV, and contractor bags
2. Bug spray, sunscreen, and chapstick for outdoor crews
3. Leather work gloves, detergent, and soap
4. Pet food and special cleaner for cadaver dogs working in floodwaters
5. Tomorrow I deliver boxes of diapers, a specialized chemical to rinse off the search dogs who are in floodwaters for hours, and dog food

The Stonewall Motor Lodge has been around since 1964, hosting everyone from the US Press Corp and Secret Service back in the 1960s to wine country tourists and road-trippers seeking a peaceful weekend under the stars in 2025. But this month, we served a different purpose—a resting place for those doing the hard work of healing a community.

We may be a small, vintage roadside lodge, but we are deeply tied to this region due to our quirky tie to President LBJ. I’m proud of how our ownership team came together without hesitation, and humbled by the generosity of the SML community. The outpouring of support reminded me that no matter how small your business may seem, your impact can ripple far beyond your front door. We’re really trying to say thank you to the people who donated because it’s made a huge impact.

The reason we raised over $10,000 is because one of our owners, who wishes to remain anonymous, committed to matching anything up to our original $5000 GoFundMe goal. We hit that in 24 hours so his $5000 check is on its way.

 

Working Closely with Disaster Response Services

by Todd Hatch, General Manager, Hampton Inn and Suites Boerne

We are located very close to the flooding that happened just north of us. We have been working very closely with emergency responders, disaster response services, and even national media. 

We recently donated used terry items that were needed.  We will continue to donate whatever we can to help in the recovery and clean-up efforts. 

After speaking with my employee, Jane Lehman, who took the towels to the Grimes funeral home in Kerrville, she said she took over 100 pounds as she was able to collect more towels from other local hotels.