Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia: Episode 108 – "Texas Flood Survivors Pick Up The Pieces"

Release Date: August 8, 2025

Introduction to the Tragedy

In Episode 108 of Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia, host Hayley Caronia delves into the harrowing experiences of Texas flood survivors, focusing on the devastating events at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas. This episode provides a poignant exploration of emergency preparedness, personal loss, and the ongoing struggles faced by families affected by the catastrophic flood.

Kelly Rabin’s Personal Experience

Guest: Kelly Rabin, Former Investigative Reporter

Kelly Rabin shares her personal ordeal during the catastrophic flood that struck Camp La Junta on July 4th. Despite living in Houston, approximately five hours away by car, Kelly's immediate reaction upon receiving distressing news about rising floodwaters set the stage for her frantic journey to reunite with her sons.

"[03:03] Kelly Rabin: I tried to cool my jets a little bit. You know, I wanted to hope and hope and think that everything was going to be okay..."

After witnessing live news coverage that confirmed the severity of the situation, Kelly raced to the camp, only to find herself grappling with uncertainty and fear for her children's safety.

"[04:34] Haley Silverlock: Oh, my gosh. I cannot imagine what was going through your head. The panic setting in."

Reuniting with Her Sons

After enduring a tense 12 to 13-hour wait without direct communication, Kelly finally embraces her sons around 8 to 8:30 PM.

"[04:48] Kelly Rabin: It was a solid 12, 13 hours before I was able to actually put my arms around my boys."

Upon reuniting, Kelly describes the emotional and physical toll the event took on her children.

"[08:48] Kelly Rabin: Brock... he just said, I don't remember, mom, I don't know."

Camp Response and Emergency Preparedness

Kelly provides an in-depth look at the camp's response during the flood. Despite receiving emergency alerts, the timing was insufficient for a successful evacuation, leading to tragic consequences.

"[11:18] Haley Silverlock: So I remember seeing a, an interview that your son had done saying that the camp counselors did get alerts on their phone, but it was far too late. Yes, it was."

Kelly criticizes the delayed response from local authorities and camp officials, highlighting a critical failure in emergency preparedness.

"[20:31] Kelly Rabin: We just today started therapy in person... because when you see these trees that are far larger than me, you know, that are crumpled up around each other, it's RVs that look like they've been through a compactor."

Aftermath and Trauma

The emotional and psychological aftermath for Kelly’s family is profound. Both her sons are exhibiting signs of PTSD, and Kelly has initiated therapy to help them cope.

"[20:31] Kelly Rabin: Lots and lots of PTSD and trauma responses. We just today started therapy in person."

Furthermore, the loss of personal belongings adds to the family's grief, underscoring the comprehensive impact of the disaster.

"[23:55] Kelly Rabin: There was nothing left of his belongings at all, sadly."

Government and FEMA Response

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the inadequate response from FEMA and local government officials. Kelly expresses frustration over the lack of assistance and clear communication, emphasizing the bureaucratic hurdles faced by affected families.

"[21:56] Kelly Rabin: We have to remember that we live out of that county... you can't just leave us hanging then when that disaster happens just because we live out of that county."

Despite reaching out to her congressman, Kelly received unsatisfactory responses regarding eligibility for assistance, particularly concerning mental health services.

"[21:46] Kelly Rabin: Because you don't have a zip code in the declared disaster zone, you don't qualify for assistance."

Rebuilding Efforts and Community Needs

Kelly highlights the long road to recovery, drawing parallels to her experiences post-Hurricane Katrina. She calls for direct assistance to affected families and stresses the importance of grassroots support over generic donations.

"[28:03] Kelly Rabin: It's at this point more than thoughts and prayers. Okay. But I also don't want people to just blindly send their money to random organizations."

She provides actionable suggestions for listeners wanting to help, such as engaging with local Facebook community groups to identify specific needs.

"[28:03] Kelly Rabin: If you are interested, I would suggest, like, going on to Facebook... ask people like, I don't know, hey, what do you guys need?"

Kelly's Advocacy and Hope

Beyond sharing her family's tragedy, Kelly underscores her commitment to advocacy, aiming to improve emergency response and support systems for future disasters. Her determination is evident as she continues to seek solutions and support for her community.

"[30:15] Kelly Rabin: I'm dedicated to the cause... it's like it or not, this is part of our life from here on."

Despite the unimaginable incident, Kelly maintains hope for the future, expressing potential plans to return her sons to camp, believing in the positive growth and resilience they have developed.

"[30:49] Kelly Rabin: I believe that I will. Especially if the question is will they want to go back? ... Braden, my oldest, definitely wants to go back."

Conclusion

Hayley Caronia wraps up the episode by acknowledging both the tragedy and the resilience displayed by the survivors and the community. She emphasizes the importance of community support and the heroic efforts of camp counselors and local leaders in the face of disaster.

"[32:24] Haley Silverlock: This is a great example of sunshine after rain, an absolutely horrific tragedy. But it is amazing to see how those heroes sprung into action when needed."

The episode serves as a compelling narrative of loss, survival, and the ongoing struggle for adequate support and rebuilding in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Key Takeaways

• Emergency Preparedness: The critical failure in timely emergency alerts significantly impacted the ability to evacuate safely.

• Personal Trauma: The psychological effects on survivors, especially children, are profound and require immediate and sustained support.

• Government Response: There is a glaring need for improved communication and assistance from federal and local authorities during disasters.

• Community Support: Grassroots efforts and direct assistance are vital for effective recovery and rebuilding.

• Advocacy and Hope: Continued advocacy is essential to ensure better preparedness and support systems for future emergencies.

Notable Quotes

• Kelly Rabin on Initial Shock:

  "[03:03] Kelly Rabin: ...I knew this was a really, really serious incident because I knew it was just about five minutes away from Camp Lahenta where my boys were."

• Kelly on Reuniting with Her Sons:

  "[04:48] Kelly Rabin: It was a solid 12, 13 hours before I was able to actually put my arms around my boys."

• Kelly on FEMA’s Inadequacy:

  "[21:46] Kelly Rabin: Because you don't have a zip code in the declared disaster zone, you don't qualify for assistance."

• Kelly on Community Needs:

  "[28:03] Kelly Rabin: ...being able to help families with direct assistance is honestly the most important way."

• Host's Conclusion:

  "[32:24] Haley Silverlock: ...it is amazing to see how those heroes sprung into action when needed."

Further Information and Resources

• Kelly Rabin’s Platforms:

  • Website: kellyraybond.com
  • Instagram & Facebook: @kelirabon

• Support Organizations Mentioned:

  • Lost Stuffy Project: A nonprofit dedicated to reuniting children with their cherished belongings after disasters.

• Rebuilding and Assistance:

  • Engage with local Facebook community groups to identify and address specific needs.
  • Contribute directly to established funds such as those set up by Camp La Junta.

This episode of Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia provides an in-depth and emotional exploration of the Texas flood disaster, highlighting personal stories, systemic failures, and the resilience of affected communities. It serves as a call to action for better preparedness, support systems, and community solidarity in the face of natural calamities.