2 Sisters, 11 & 13, Tragically Die in Kerr County Floods — Their Grandparents Missing
The tragic tale of two girls who perished in the Texas floods has been reported, and their community has come together to support their families by creating a GoFundMe page to help their loved ones.
Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, who were students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, tragically lost their lives in the devastating floods that struck Texas, the school confirmed on Saturday, according to Fox 4 News. pic.twitter.com/wphHnF8Uyb
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) July 6, 2025
The deaths of sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, in the Hill Country flooding have left a family in North Texas grieving. The fact that the grandparents of the deceased little girls, Mike and Charlene Harber, are unaccounted for in the wake of the flash floods in central Texas that have killed at least 80 people adds even more sorrow to the tale.
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Blair and Brooke Harber were among the children who died due to ravaging floods that hit Kerr County on Friday morning. The bodies of the 13-year-old and 11-year-old girls were found about 12 hours after the heavy rain saturated the area, according to their aunt, Jennifer… pic.twitter.com/X1u3fx2zHz
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) July 6, 2025
When the bodies of little Blair and Brooke, who were identified by their parents, R.J. and Annie Harber, were found 15 miles from where the floodwaters had carried them away, the Harber family’s grief only grew. On Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Kerrville, the hunt for the girls came to a tragic conclusion about 12 hours after the devastating deluge.
Jennifer Harber, their aunt, revealed the heartbreaking fact that the sisters’ hands were clasped together when they were discovered, a quiet monument to their unshakable bond even in their last moments.
Brooke and Blair Harber’s father tells me the Dallas sisters are among the 32 people who’ve died. His parents, Mike and Charlene Harber are still MISSING. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/dnDTY5ddlL
— Allie Spillyards (@AllieSpillyards) July 5, 2025
At around 3:30 a.m., a violent storm woke up her brother and the late girls’ father, R.J., and Jennifer described the terrifying experience that followed. When R.J. and his wife, Annie, found their house already filling with water, they took immediate action.
When they tried to get to the house where their girls and R.J.’s parents, Mike and Charlene, were staying, they were met with floodwaters that were dangerously high.
Blair and Brooke Harber, found with hands locked together, died while on a family trip in the town of Hunt that was struck by the devastation early Friday.
— My moms caregiver (@mymomcare) July 7, 2025
Dad and mom were in a separate cabin – shattered a window to try and get to them. Grandparents still missing 🙏 pic.twitter.com/DYNt92JmxP
Jennifer said that R.J. and Annie had to break out a window because the water levels were so high, and by the time they were outside, they couldn’t get to the house where their loved ones were.
The couple woke up their neighbors to borrow a kayak in a last-ditch effort to save them from being carried away by the floods, but the current was too rough.
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R.J. and Annie were ultimately left defenseless while their loved ones remained captive and had to be rescued themselves. The family is still hopeful for Mike and Charlene even as they grieve the loss of Blair and Brooke.
In a sincere appeal to the public, Jennifer said, “Please help us find my parents so we can have closure and bring them home.”
Heartbroken. These little angels, Brooke and Blair passed away in the flood. Their grandparents Mike and Charlene are not accounted for yet. My deepest condolences to the Harber family. May God accept your loved ones into heaven with open arms. The girls last texts were “I love… pic.twitter.com/kjGz0P38hE
— Merrick Lackner (@merricklackner) July 7, 2025
Following an unfathomable loss, friends of the Harber family started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the financial, logistical, and emotional strain that the tragedy had left behind. Six family friends organized the fundraiser, which has raised more than $169,000 of its $200,000 target so far.
The campaign, which has received a lot of online attention, asks for prayers, solidarity, and support for the Harbers. Family photos are attached to the fundraiser page. In one picture, all three generations are seen standing in front of a sparkling Christmas tree while wearing matching holiday pajamas.
Another depicts the girls standing next to their grandparents, grinning while wearing sundresses. Every picture conveys a great deal about the family’s connection and the sadness of their abrupt parting.
Jennifer gave additional background on the day that changed everything in her heartfelt post on the GoFundMe website. She disclosed that the girls had been put to bed in a neighbor’s house beside the river at approximately 11 p.m. Since Mike and Charlene’s own house nearby was too small to house everyone, the neighbor had kindly offered to take in the family.
Their grandparents remained in the guest room below, while Blair and Brooke occupied the loft upstairs. When the storm hit, the sound of rising floodwaters was drowned out by the thundering rain. Annie and R.J. awoke just in time. Jennifer thinks they might have drowned as well if they hadn’t.
“Everywhere, transmitters were going off. It was completely dark. The water reached Annie’s chin by the time they emerged. Given that the water was frigid, they expressed astonishment that they did not experience hypothermia. In some way, RJ, Annie, and the other five people they woke managed to reach a house across the flooded roadway, and strangers allowed the seven of them to enter,” Jennifer clarified.
She also told of the family’s Labrador’s amazing escape and how it managed to make its way to safety across a flooded highway. Unfortunately, their second dog passed away.
Only four or six of the twenty homes in the gated neighborhood of Casa Bonita near Hunt, Texas, were still standing when the water subsided.
The fact that Brooke had texted her father and maternal grandparents at 3:30 a.m. to say “I love you” added even more sadness to the situation. Deeply spiritual, she and her older sister carried their rosaries and often discussed their beliefs. Just two weeks earlier, Blair had even discussed heaven with Jennifer.
“It was a nightmare for RJ and Annie that morning. Although they were saved that afternoon, the Coast Guard was unable to reach them because they were trapped in Hunt. “I think RJ tried another way earlier to get help [sic], and Annie was rescued by helicopter,” Jennifer revealed.
The charity also confirmed the burial arrangements, which include a joint service for Blair and Brooke at Dallas’ St. Rita Catholic Church. Southwest Airlines, where their aunt Jennifer works as a flight attendant, will arrange for them to come home from San Antonio.
She sent her sincere appreciation to the airline for providing support during such a difficult time. The family’s goal is still to find Mike and Charlene, despite the logistical heartache of funeral preparation.
“We are heartbroken and completely upset. Prayers are greatly appreciated and exactly what we needed right now,” Jennifer continued.
Although the Harber family’s story has moved people all around the nation, there are numerous tragedies occurring in central Texas. According to the most recent reports, the flash floods that devastated the area on Friday, July 4 have left at least 81 confirmed dead and 41 persons missing.
In Kerr County, where the floodwaters quickly engulfed entire neighborhoods and homes, the destruction has been especially severe. This is the same location where the Harbers lost Blair and Brooke.
Travis County, Burnet County, Williamson County, Kendall County, and Tom Green County are among the other impacted locations. Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp for girls on the Guadalupe River’s banks, was among the most severely affected areas.
Rising waters there killed a number of children, including Richard “Dick” Eastland, the camp’s longtime director. In just forty-five minutes, the river’s waters rose an incredible twenty-six feet, trapping many campers in their slumber with little time to flee. What had previously been one of Hill Country’s liveliest areas had devolved into a catastrophe area by Sunday.
Volunteers like former Navy SEAL Greg Froelick and other search and rescue teams have been searching the area nonstop. Up to eight miles downstream, casualties and their possessions from Camp Mystic, including clothes and dresser items, have been discovered, he told the BBC.
The recovery effort is being made more difficult by hazardous situations, such as coming into contact with poisonous snakes and flooded debris, as a result of the ongoing rain and the flood watch that is in effect through Monday night.
Government representatives and regular Texans alike have shown their overwhelming support for the issue. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump approved a major disaster designation, allowing federal assistance to reach Kerr County and other impacted areas.
Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, vowed to “stop at nothing” to find the missing after touring the destruction. “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” he stated.
In the meantime, the community has exhibited the same tenacity that currently envelops the Harber family. Alma Garcia brought home-cooked meals for volunteers and survivors when she arrived in San Antonio. In a similar vein, Perla, a local, started gathering clothing and shoes after her job at Walmart and delivering them to a neighboring shelter.
Strangers have become neighbors in towns of all sizes, bound together by grief and a common resolve to lend a hand.
The Vatican is even aware of the tragedy’s extent. During Sunday service in Rome, Pope Leo XIV said prayers for the victims and their families.
As they grieve such profound losses, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies to R.J., Annie, Jennifer, the entire Harber family, all of their friends and loved ones, the community, and everyone who knew and loved Blair and Brooke. The same goes for everyone whose life were affected by the floods in Texas. In the midst of their sorrow, we wish them healing. Blair, Brooke, and all the victims, rest in peace.