Nearly one year after the devastating Texas Hill Country flooding on Friday, July 4, 2025, Annie and RJ Harber are sharing publicly for the first time how they are moving forward after losing their two daughters and RJ Harber's parents in one of the state's deadliest flood disasters.

The North Texas couple said the grief remains overwhelming, but their faith has given them the strength to keep going and hope that one day they will grow their family again.

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Inside St. Rita Catholic Church, Annie and RJ Harber reflected on the lives of their daughters, Blair, 13, and Brooke, 11, and the memories they cherish most.

 You still wake up hoping that it's a dream and you get out of bed and this is our reality,  Annie Harber said.


The sisters had different personalities but shared a close bond.

 Blair was my comfort. She was my closest companion,  RJ Harber said.

Annie Harber described Blair as  the kindest, most loving, gentle soul. 

Brooke, she said, brought joy wherever she went.

 Brooke was just this ball of energy and joy that you couldn't help but have fun with,  RJ Harber said.

 She was fearless. She was confident,  Annie Harber added.

The family had spent many summers along the Guadalupe River, building traditions together. That changed during the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, when catastrophic floodwaters swept through the area.

 When I woke up to the lightning, the first thing I told RJ was, 'We need to check on the girls,' because I thought they might be scared,  Annie Harber said.  Never did I think when he stepped out that our house would be flooded. 

RJ Harber said the water rose with astonishing speed.

 If I had not put my foot down, Annie and I would have been washed away,  he said.

The couple escaped. Blair and Brooke, who were sleeping nearby, along with RJ Harber's parents in a neighboring house, did not survive.

Among the family's most treasured memories is one final text message from their daughters.

 Their final words to 

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