In a heartbreaking loss amid devastating Texas floods, two young sisters perished together in a powerful display of unity. Brooke and Blair Harber, aged 11 and 13, were found with their hands locked together, a poignant symbol of their bond.

According to People, the tragedy unfolded on the morning of Friday, July 4, as floodwaters surged along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, where the girls were staying with their grandparents. Their bodies were later discovered 15 miles away in Kerrville, a stark reminder of nature’s unrelenting force.

The Harber family’s grief is compounded by uncertainty, as the girls’ grandparents, Mike and Charlene, remain missing. Around 3:30 a.m. that fateful morning, the girls’ parents attempted to reach them but were thwarted by rising waters, a desperate moment of helplessness.

Final Moments of Faith and Love

Amid the chaos, Brooke sent a text to her grandparents saying “I love you,” a final message of tenderness as the floodwaters rose. This small act of connection underscores the family’s tight-knit nature during their last known moments together.

The sisters, students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, were described as young women of deep faith by school officials. In their final hours, they reportedly retreated to the loft of their cabin clutching their rosaries, seeking solace in prayer.

School officials noted that even in those last instants, Brooke and Blair held tightly to each other, embodying a bond that not even disaster could sever. This image of sisterly devotion has touched many, reflecting both loss and an enduring spiritual strength.

Remembering Brooke and Blair’s Lives

Blair, soon to enter 8th grade, was an exceptional student involved in advanced classes and numerous school activities. She excelled in volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, cheerleading, and served as a Student Ambassador, guiding families with pride and warmth.

Her talents extended to drama and yearbook, with a kind heart that loved serving others, according to school statements. Blair’s anticipation of auditioning for the lead in her grade’s play spoke to her vibrant spirit and aspirations.

Brooke, preparing for 6th grade, brought energy and joy to everyone around her, excelling in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. Known for her knack for improv, she never met a stranger and spread laughter wherever she went.

Community Rallies Around Harber Family

The Harber family, cherished members of the St. Rita parish for years, includes their mother Annie, a beloved faculty member. School officials expressed that this tragedy has pierced every corner of their community’s heart, uniting them in sorrow.

A joint funeral for the sisters will be held at St. Rita, a place where they grew and were loved. Over $182,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support the family, a testament to collective compassion in dark times.

Jennifer Harber, the girls’ aunt who organized the fundraiser, shared the family’s devastation and plea for prayers. She also urged help in finding her missing parents, seeking closure to begin healing from this unimaginable loss.

A Broader Toll and Call for Support

The flash flooding in Central Texas has claimed over 80 lives, a staggering toll that continues to grow as recovery efforts persist. This catastrophe has shattered families and communities, leaving a landscape of grief in its wake.

While we mourn Brooke and Blair, let us also remember the countless others affected by this disaster, holding space for their stories. Their grandparents’ fate remains unknown, a painful uncertainty that mirrors the broader struggle for answers across the region.

As a nation, our duty is to support those reeling from such loss, whether through prayer, donations, or advocacy for better disaster preparedness. May the memory of these sisters, united even in death, remind us to cherish our loved ones and stand together in times of trial.