Elderly grandmother, aged 94, loses residence due to Texas floods. Relatives affirm the endeavor to reconstruct their home despite the potential perils.
In the heart of Texas Hill Country, the Guadalupe River surged to nearly 30 feet, causing a catastrophic flood that swept away hundreds of people, leaving more than 120 dead and at least 150 still missing. One family, the Mattesons, who have ties to the area for nearly a century, found themselves in the midst of the disaster.
Betty Matteson's daughter, Sherry, remains hopeful that they will find a way to rebuild their home, despite the risks and the lack of flood insurance. The property holds a special place in the family's heart, as it's where her husband and other family members are buried nearby.
The Mattesons have spent countless summers relaxing on the deck, floating down the Guadalupe River in tubes, hiking the cliffs, fishing, and celebrating milestones at the house. On a recent Fourth of July, the family, along with seven members, two cats, and two dogs, sought refuge in the attic as the house started to flood.
The house, known as "Casa Del Rio," will need to be gutted to the studs, but the family does not have flood insurance, and they estimate it could cost half a million dollars to fix. This high cost is a significant barrier for many families, including the Mattesons, who were renting out a cottage on the property to help with housing costs.
Barry Adelman, Matteson's grandson, wants the younger generation to have the same experiences as he did, despite the risks. After hours of waiting and praying in the attic, the family was rescued. Despite the devastation, Sherry Matteson remains resolute, stating, "None of us around here are going to live our lives based on fear."
The flood in central Texas was described as a 1-in-100-year event, yet only 4% of homes nationwide have flood insurance. In Kerr County, which was the hardest hit by the floods, only 2% of residents have flood insurance. This widespread lack of coverage can be attributed to a combination of inadequate risk information, non-mandatory insurance for many homeowners, misconceptions about coverage, and cost barriers.
In 14 states, sellers and realtors do not have to disclose flood risk, leaving buyers uninformed about their vulnerability. Additionally, flood maps do not always capture evolving or local risks precisely, resulting in people living in flood-prone areas without knowing it. Flooding outside mapped zones also contributes to a false sense of security and lower insurance uptake in those areas.
Despite the challenges, the Matteson family remains hopeful. They are hopeful they will receive some financial aid from FEMA, but they don't believe it will be a fraction of the cost to rebuild. As the nation grapples with increasing and severe flooding events, the Matteson family's story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of flood insurance and the need for better risk disclosure and mapping.
- In the midst of rebuilding their home, the Matteson family faces financial challenges, as they do not have flood insurance and estimate the repair costs to be around half a million dollars.
- The Flood in central Texas, described as a 1-in-100-year event, has highlighted the importance of flood insurance, particularly for families who, like the Mattesons, do not have it and are now facing exorbitant repair costs.
- As the nation grapples with increasing and severe flooding events, the Matteson family's story underscores the need for better flood risk disclosure, improved mapping, and increased flood insurance awareness, especially in areas where it is not mandatory.
