10 Years After Losing His Family, Jonathan McComb Leads Dramatic Texas Flood Rescues

Jonathan McComb returned this week to the banks of a swollen Texas river—this time not as a victim, but as a volunteer determined to save others. A decade ago, McComb’s wife Laura and their two young children were swept away when the Blanco River surged through Wimberley during the 2015 Memorial Day weekend floods; Jonathan was the sole survivor. Now, after relentless rainfall pushed the Guadalupe River over its banks near Kerrville, the 41-year-old has joined local responders and Texas Task Force 1 in an around-the-clock search-and-rescue effort. According to CBS News, McComb has been combing debris fields, knocking on flooded doorways and offering first-hand comfort to families anxiously waiting for word on missing loved ones. He says the promise he made in a hospital bed ten years ago—to honor his family by helping others—still guides every step he takes through the knee-deep mud. The new disaster struck early Monday after up to 12 inches of rain fell in the Hill Country. Emergency officials confirmed at least six people missing and dozens of homes damaged or destroyed, mirroring the chaos McComb once endured. “I can’t change what happened in 2015,” he told People, “but I can change how I respond now.” Search teams say McComb’s background is invaluable. He recognizes subtle indicators—up-ended tree limbs, tangled fencing, faint chemical smells—that point to where floodwater settles and victims may be trapped. Neighbors also gravitate toward him for emotional support; his story of survival brings both credibility and hope. Officials credit social media posts featuring McComb’s efforts with driving a surge of volunteer sign-ups and donations of bottled water, work gloves and fuel for airboats. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reported more than 500 civilian volunteers registered within 24 hours, a record for the region. Mental-health advocates note that returning to a disaster zone can reopen trauma scars. McComb acknowledges the risk but says therapy, faith and a support network have equipped him to serve safely. “Every life we bring home is one more reason my family mattered,” he said during a break at a makeshift command center. Meteorologists expect scattered thunderstorms through the weekend, adding urgency to the mission. Crews will continue grid searches at daybreak, then shift to door-to-door wellness checks once waters recede. McComb plans to stay until the last missing person is found—or until officials send him away for rest. For Texans watching from afar, Jonathan McComb’s return to the river marks a poignant full-circle moment: the lone survivor of one of the state’s deadliest flash floods now stands on the front lines, transforming personal tragedy into lifesaving purpose.