Houston, July 12, 2025
Disaster Relief Appeal for Central Texas Historic Flood – July 4–7, 2025
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha
Dear Venerable Monastics, Supporters, and Friends,
From July 4–7, 2025, a devastating flood swept through the Hill Country region of Texas,
especially Kerr County, leaving behind immense loss and heartbreak. This has become the most catastrophic inland flood disaster in the United States since 1976, surpassing even the
destruction of Hurricane Helene in 2024, “once-in-a-century disaster in Texas.” Unpredictable weather patterns triggered a heavy rain in Central Texas, resulting in an astonishing 20.33 inches (516mm) of rain within just a few hours - equivalent to four months of rainfall. The Guadalupe River rose 29 feet (nearly 10 meters) in just 45 minutes, causing sudden flash floods that swept away homes, summer camps, and human lives.
Damage Reported:
• 129 fatalities, including 103 in Kerr County
• Over 170 missing persons, with the death toll still rising
• A tragic loss of 36 children from Mystic Camp in Hunt County
• More than 850 people rescued, including 165 individuals by a single rescuer
• Thousands of homes destroyed; hundreds of families displaced and homeless
• Over 2,000 first responders and volunteers, including teams from Mexico, are actively
participating in rescue and relief operations
With a deeply compassionate heart and community services, Vietnamese Buddhist Center – Chùa Việt Nam – Houston, Texas (Tu Bi Foundation) officially launches a relief campaign to aid victims and survivors of this historic flood. Fundraising ends on August 17, 2025.
The Tu Bi Foundation is working closely with local relief groups in Kerr County and Hill Country areas. We will organize relief delegations to visit affected areas, deliver emergency supplies directly, and offer compassionate supports to families in crisis - as a light of kindness and hope for those who are suffering in their darkest hours.
• Prayer and Solidarity
May the light of compassion shine upon all places of suffering.
May those who have passed away be reborn into peaceful realms.
May the living be supported in spirit and in need - to overcome this suffering together.
With deep gratitude and unshakable faith in human kindness,
we sincerely call on your support.
(All donations are tax-deductible and will be issued a receipt)
You can send by check or Zelle to the following addresses:
1. In Texas: Tu Bi Foundation (Vietnamese Buddhist Center – Chùa Việt Nam – Houston)
10002 Synott Rd, Sugar Land, TX 77498 * (281) 575-0910
Zelle: (832) 659-6100 (Wells Fargo Bank) * Memo: Central Texas Flood Relief
2. In Virginia: Tu Bi Foundation
5257 Dunleigh Drive, Burke, VA 22015 * Zelle: (571) 437-6997 (Bank of America)
Email: tubifoundation@gmail.com * Memo: Central Texas Flood Relief
Sincerely,
Vietnamese Buddhist Center – Chùa Việt Nam – Houston, Texas