In the wake of one of the deadliest floods to strike Central Texas in recent memory, stories of loss and survival have emerged across the region. Among them is a remarkable account from the town of Hunt, where a family’s beloved dog managed to live through the chaos in a way no one could have imagined.
On the night of July 4, torrential rain overwhelmed the banks of the Guadalupe River, transforming quiet neighborhoods into disaster zones within minutes. For Cody Vlasek, a high school senior, and his family, the nightmare became reality when floodwaters surged into their home. The river, which usually sat far beyond their backyard fence, had suddenly rushed up to their doorstep and beyond.
âThe water came in so fast,â Cody told KENS 5. âIt reached our waists in about 20 minutes. We just didnât have time.â
Codyâs mother, Denise, was the first to wake up that night. She quickly alerted her family, and the three of them fled the rising water, struggling through the current toward a neighborâs house higher up the hill. In the chaos, there was no time to search for the family dog.
âI remember feeling helpless,â Cody said. âWe could hear our neighbors screaming for help, but the water was moving too fast. If weâd tried to go back, we wouldnât have made it.â
When the storm finally passed and the family returned to assess the damage, their home was unrecognizable. Walls were stained with mud, furniture was swept from its place, and debris filled the rooms. But amidst the devastation, Cody heard something unexpectedâscratching and a faint cry.
âI had to break in through a window,â Cody recalled. âAnd when I got inside, I heard a whimper. I turned the corner, and there he wasâfloating in the washer.â
Somehow, their dog had managed to climb into the washing machine and survive the floodwaters. Though shaken, he was alive and waiting to be rescued.
The familyâs relief was immense. In a week filled with loss, this small moment of joy meant everything. “You can replace a house,” Cody said. “But you canât replace lives.”
Sadly, not everyone in the area was as fortunate. The floods, triggered by rare levels of rainfall, caused the Guadalupe River to spill far beyond its banks. More than 120 people have been confirmed dead, with many still missing. The tragedy struck especially hard at Camp Mystic, a nearby summer camp, where dozens of children and counselors lost their lives.
Though the Vlasek family faces a long road ahead in rebuilding, they are holding tight to what matters most: each other and the dog who proved that even in disaster, hope can float.