Death Toll Hits 120 After Flooding In Texas
Texas native Josh Weathers is the latest country artist to step up and help those affected by the devastating floods in Texas.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, flooding swept through six counties in Texas, causing mass destruction. Kerr County has seen the worst aftermath, with a majority of reported fatalities coming from the area.
NBC News reports that water levels along the Guadalupe River rose as high as 26 feet. As of now, the death toll has reached 120, with search efforts still underway.
Among those who lost their lives in the floodwaters were 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls that was hit hard by the rising waters.
Josh Weathers Raises Over $430,000 For Texas Flood Victims
In the days following the Texas floods, people from all across the state have come together to do what they can for those affected.
One of the latest to use his platform to help is country singer Josh Weathers.
Weathers and his wife, Kady, who live in Fort Worth, were originally planning to travel to the “Hill Country” so Josh could perform at Gruene Hall. But after the show was canceled due to the flooding, he knew he wanted to do something to help in the wake of the tragedy.
“Children are near and dear to our hearts,” Kady Weathrs told NBCDFW 5. “We do a lot of work in India, a lot of work in El Salvador, we see destruction and death all over,” Kady Weathers said. “When it hits so close to home, it’s just one of those things that rips you apart, especially when so many children are involved, and you can’t just sit back and not do anything.”
Within just 48 hours, the Weathers came up with the idea to host a virtual benefit concert, giving people a way to tune in, donate money, and bid on auction items to help those in need.
But what started as a simple plan for Josh to go live on his phone turned into something much bigger than he and Kady ever imagined.
In just four hours, the benefit concert had already raised over $300,000.
“I’ll be honest, my ambition, I felt like was a pretty lofty goal, was like 150,000, and I guess I was just thinking too small,” Josh said.
The next step will be for the Weathers to work closely with Kerr County officials to figure out the best way to distribute the money raised.
Josh shared that he hopes the funds will go directly to the families affected, helping with funeral costs and rebuilding.
“I think food and water is probably going to be pretty handled,” Josh said. “What are people going to need? They’re going to need money. So, let’s just raise as much money as we can, as quickly as we can, and get it to these folks.”
By the end of Josh Weathers’ virtual benefit concert, more than $437,000 was raised, and donations are still being accepted.
The Weathers are using their nonprofit organization, Love Like You Mean It International, to collect and manage all of the contributions.
