The Grief that Unites Us:
The Aftermath of the Hill Country Floods
Texas continues to grapple with the devastating loss of life that has rocked Texas with grief at the forefront
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HOUSTON, TX. JULY 2025
As the story of the catastrophic floods of Central Texas continues to unfold and evolve weeks after the July 4 holiday weekend, there is one unavoidable constant attending the tragedy: grief. The loss of life of this magnitude (more than 100 killed and more than 170 missing) is enormous. Other losses –pets and livestock, homes, businesses, and even automobiles and equipment – have added to an omnipresent grief that has engulfed Kerr County and blanketed the entire state of Texas. And that grief – profound and still so new – may never go away.
“Things are still so fresh and raw,”
said Arti Patel, clinical director for J. Flowers Health Institute.
“It’s going to be a prolonged event. The depth of this tragedy is going to impact people for quite some time.”
Indeed, grief is now a shared Texas experience – a collective emotion that unites and connects us. And how people express and process grief is at the forefront. A trained trauma therapist, Patel said there are many who are not only seeking counseling for dealing with personal loss but others, however directly or indirectly coming to grips with the tragedy, who need a sympathetic and understanding ear.
For the latter, her simple advice is to be open and available.
“Tragedy requires humanity and tenderness,” she said “What people need is presence – offering support without being asked; with no quick answers or forced optimism. We don’t need to solve it: It just wants to be seen.”
Compassion and empathy are effective and essential in dealing with someone suffering profound grief, she said.
“It’s more about allowing people to feel whatever is going on with them. Maybe they want to cry, maybe they just want to sit there,” she said. “This is a time we can offer support without being asked.”
Professional therapists and counselors are currently playing crucial roles in addressing the mental health needs of those affected by the Central Texas floods.
The trauma, grief and emotional distress for families of victims, survivors and first responders may require crisis counseling, grief and loss counseling and trauma-informed care. But everyday people – relatives, friends, neighbors, and strangers who are lending their support to recovery efforts – are all doing their part in administering to the grieving.
Their heartfelt words and actions are true expressions of humanity as well as the collective “Texas Strong” spirit of resiliency and unity. Throughout this unfolding tragedy, we can all do our part, Patel said, by meeting grief in a manner of caring that is as simple as it is fundamental:
“Whatever it is, hold space for them and meet them where they’re at,” she said. “Let them know they’re not alone. And that’s good enough.”
About J. Flowers Health Institute
J. Flowers Health Institute delivers unparalleled health care to executives, high-profile individuals, young adults, adolescents, and those with complex conditions. Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Program uncovers the true source of any health issue and illuminates the most effective path to optimal wellness. The timeliness of our reports and diagnostic impressions allows the next appropriate level of care to begin promptly with a broad and deep understanding of the individual’s health and wellness.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts collaborates to deliver the future of whole-person health. We select the best providers and protocols from Western medicine, holistic health, integrative nutrition, sports medicine, and more that will help our clients reach optimal health. Our team’s coordination and collaboration offer each client a full continuum of care as appropriate for their unique circumstances.
Every client receives one-on-one support and personalized care. Our high-end medical facilities, access to the world’s largest medical campus, and private partnerships with exquisite hotels and spas ensure that we deliver an exceptional experience for every client. No detail is ever left to chance. Clients of J. Flowers Health Institute focus and heal in discreet comfort.
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