Ingram, Texas, faced significant destruction as floodwaters surged through the community, yet one family experienced an emotional reunion with their beloved dog days after the disaster. The Taylor family, consisting of Jeremy Taylor, his wife Mandie Aguilera, and their six-year-old daughter, shared their harrowing experience of survival following the floods.
On the night of the flooding, the couple hosted friends and family at their residence, unaware of the impending danger. As they settled in for the night, the Guadalupe River overflowed, quickly transforming their backyard into a perilous rushing torrent. “I was sleeping pretty heavy until we heard a noise in the back — it was actually some trees breaking,” Taylor recounted. Within moments, the floodwaters rose to their waists and then chests, prompting them to act swiftly.
The family managed to escape the rising waters by swimming outside, eventually climbing onto a truck that had become pinned against their home. “Everyone else’s vehicle floated away. If his truck hadn’t gotten pinned up against the house, we wouldn’t have had anything to climb on,” Aguilera stated. Despite their successful escape, their nine-year-old Labrador was missing.
“It was tough,” Taylor said, reflecting on the days that followed. As the waters receded, the neighborhood emerged intact, with all residents accounted for, but the search for their dog continued. “We came out every day looking for her, calling out for her,” Aguilera explained.
In a heartwarming turn of events, on the Sunday following the flood, their dog was discovered sitting on the porch steps of their damaged home. “She’s good,” Aguilera said, relieved to have their family complete once more. After a visit to the veterinarian, the only injuries diagnosed were minor ear infections.
The emotional reunion brought joy to the Taylor family, who expressed gratitude for the support they have received from neighbors and strangers alike. “There’s a lot of devastation and a lot of bad,” Taylor noted. “But there’s a lot of good.”
In light of the damage to their home and the community, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with recovery efforts. The outpouring of support underscores the resilience of the Ingram community as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating flood.