COMFORT: BOUNCING BACK Venue's appeal expanded by owners COMFORT - As the Hill Country marks a year since the devastating July Fourth floods, the team behind The Meyer Hotel is reflecting on both the losses endured and the resilience carrying the community forward.

"A year on, our hearts remain with every family and community changed forever by last Editor's note: The raging Guadalupe River flood of July 4, 2025, wreaked havoc across the Hill Country, claiming hundreds of lives and causing billions of dollars in damage. While no Kendall County residents perished, the rising waters took a toll on commerce. Businesses in Comfort saw a drop in customers, and supplies of free food and no-cost care products for rescue and recovery teams also bit into the bottom line. Already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the July Fourth storm further rocked Comfort merchants. A year later, the Boerne Star in a continuing series is chronicling the town's rebirth and showcasing recovering businesses as residents roll up their sleeves, rebuild and get ready to "Bounce Back" once again. July's floods," said Julia Dedo Van Maanen, marketing director for French Cowboys, owners of The Meyer Hotel.

"The Hill Country lost neighbors, friends and children, and no amount of time or recovery lessens that. We hold them in our thoughts as this anniversary passes." The 2025 catastrophe started with an early morning deluge that swelled the Guadalupe River starting in Kerrville and swept through homes and encampments, eventually claiming 139 lives.