Dallas parents find hope through faith after losing daughters in Texas floods

Dallas parents Annie and RJ Harber reflect on losing their two daughters and RJ's parents, and why they are choosing hope after unimaginable loss.

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.

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 us were a text message,” RJ Harber said. “At 3:30 in the morning, it read, 'I love you.'”

He said those words have become a source of comfort.

“There was no message that said, 'Help,' or 'I'm scared.' Just, 'I love you,'” he said.

For Annie Harber, no sign or memory can replace being with her daughters again.

“I would love the signs, but I would give anything to hold them in my arms. You know, one more hug,” she said.

The Harbers said their Catholic faith has sustained them through the most difficult period of their lives.

“The only reason we're here is because of God and our faith,” RJ Harber said. “We want to be reunited with them one day.”

Looking ahead, the couple said they hope to become parents again while always honoring Blair and Brooke.

“We're hopeful to be parents again one day, even though we're always parents,” RJ Harber said. “We want to raise another child.”

“We still have so much more love to give,” Annie Harber said.

“There's no such thing as a limit on love,” RJ Harber added. “We just want to give a child even more love.”

Today, photographs of Blair and Brooke fill the Harbers' home, and the girls remain at the center of the family's lives.

“We know Blair and Brooke are our angels in heaven,” Annie Harber said. “We get up every day to honor them.”

The Harbers have also established a legacy fund supporting Catholic education and youth sports programs in honor of Blair and Brooke. More information is available at BlairAndBrooke.org.