Belton Family Reunites After Daughter Survives Hill Country Floods

A father’s worst fears turned to relief as his daughter survived catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country of Texas on July 4, 2023. Ronnie Schoepf’s day began with anticipation for the annual Independence Day celebration but quickly spiraled into chaos when he received a distressing text from his daughter, Riata Schoepf, who was vacationing at the River Inn Resort in Hunt, Texas.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., a sudden evacuation alert rang out at the resort, warning guests of rapidly rising waters. As panic ensued, guests scrambled to their vehicles, only to find themselves trapped as the bridge out of the area became impassable. “As the water started rising on everybody’s cars, people started getting out of their cars and trying to run up the road,” Ronnie Schoepf explained. Those who remained faced a harrowing decision as the current intensified, forcing them to swim for safety.

Despite his experience with floods—evident from water marks on his restaurant’s walls from a 2011 disaster—nothing prepared Ronnie for the anxiety of waiting for news about Riata. Throughout the day, sparse satellite messages trickled in, revealing the dire situation but providing little comfort. “At first we thought, you know, oh OK, well you had to go up the hill a little bit or something,” he recounted. “We had no idea that it was 30 feet of water.”

Desperate Hours and Rescue Efforts

As hours passed with little communication, the Schoepf family felt helpless. They attempted to drive to the resort but were thwarted by road closures around Marble Falls. Meanwhile, Riata and other guests fought for their lives against the relentless current. Good Samaritans in the vicinity became unlikely heroes, dropping sheets from a second-story window to assist those struggling against the floodwaters.

After nearly 19 hours of uncertainty, a rescue team from the Army arrived at approximately 21:15. They located Riata and others, transporting them to an elementary school for medical evaluation. “It was really good to see her. It was a relief. We felt very blessed,” Ronnie Schoepf said, reflecting on their emotional reunion.

Despite the joy of having Riata back home safely, the Schoepfs are acutely aware of the ongoing tragedy. As of July 5, authorities reported that 173 individuals remained unaccounted for, prompting a shift from search and rescue operations to recovery efforts. “We know that there’s a lot of folks that didn’t get to have that happy reunion and are still searching,” Ronnie Schoepf noted somberly.

Gratitude Amid Heartbreak

The family’s experience has deepened their gratitude and compassion for those still affected by the floods. Ronnie expressed a poignant sentiment about the situation: “We wish that every story had a happy ending.” This reflection highlights the emotional complexity of their situation—feeling blessed for Riata’s safety while mourning for those who are still missing.

As the Schoepf family moves forward, they carry with them a renewed sense of faith and empathy for others suffering in the aftermath of this disaster. Their story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support during times of crisis.