Two sisters, Brooke and Blair Harber, tragically lost their lives in the Texas flood disaster. The 11- and 13-year-old girls were staying with their grandparents along the Guadalupe River in Hunt when floodwaters surged into their neighborhood on the morning of Friday, July 4. Their parents, RJ and Annie, tried to reach them around 3:30 a.m. but couldn’t due to the rising waters.
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The girls were later discovered 15 miles away in Kerrville. Their aunt, Jennifer Harber, shared that when they were found, the sisters’ hands were “locked together,” symbolizing their deep bond.
Before the flood, Brooke sent her grandparents a final message: “I love you.” Despite the chaos, the girls stayed close and their love for each other was clear, even in their final moments. Their school, St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, described them as “young women of deep faith,” noting that they took their rosaries with them as the waters rose in their cabin.
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Blair, who was excelling in advanced classes, sports, and her role as a Student Ambassador, was known for her kind heart and love for serving others. Brooke, full of energy and joy, was a gifted athlete and enjoyed speech and drama, especially improv, which always made others smile. Both girls were loved deeply and had bright futures ahead of them.
Annie, their mother, is a respected member of the school faculty, and the Harber family is well-loved in the school and parish community. The school expressed their heartfelt sorrow and offered prayers and support for the family.
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The girls’ grandparents, Mike and Charlene, are still missing, and Jennifer has asked for assistance in locating them for closure. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $182,000 to support the Harber family, and a joint funeral for Brooke and Blair will be held at St. Rita.
The tragic flood, which has claimed over 80 lives in Central Texas, continues to weigh heavily on the Harber family, and they remain in the thoughts and prayers of their community during this heartbreaking time.