Texas Woman’s Chilling Final Text Before Her House Washed Away: A Story of Love, Fear, and a Storm’s Wrath
The floodwaters came fast — faster than anyone could have imagined. In a rural stretch of central Texas, where winding rivers meet open plains, one family’s quiet night turned into a fight for survival. And in the middle of it all was 32-year-old Sarah Matthews, a devoted mother of two and beloved local schoolteacher whose haunting final text would break hearts across the country.
The Night the Sky Opened
On the evening of July 8, 2025, Sarah was at home in San Marcos with her two young children — Lucas, 7, and Emma, 4 — as rain fell steadily outside. It had been raining for days, and local news stations were warning of flash flooding. But Sarah, like many others, didn’t expect the storm to hit her neighborhood with the force it did. Her house sat on a slight rise, away from the Blanco River, and had never flooded before — not even during the massive floods of 2015.
But that night was different.
By 10:12 p.m., water had crept into her yard. By 10:30, it was inside her garage. Sarah’s husband, Michael, a trucker, was out of state delivering a load in Oklahoma. They exchanged messages earlier in the evening — casual updates about the kids, a video of Emma dancing in her pajamas. Sarah had said she was lighting candles just in case the power went out. But then, at 11:04 p.m., she sent him a message that would become her last.
“If I don’t make it…”
Michael would later share it publicly, as part of a heartbreaking tribute.
“If I don’t make it, just know I tried everything to save them. Please tell them every single day that I love them. The water’s coming in fast now. I’m so scared.”
The message came just minutes before all contact with Sarah was lost.
A Mother’s Final Moments
Rescue teams say Sarah called 911 at 11:07 p.m. She told the dispatcher that she and her children were in the attic, trapped, and the water was rising quickly. The operator stayed on the line with her for four agonizing minutes. During that time, Sarah was remarkably calm — focused on keeping her kids calm, too. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered to Emma, cradling her as she tried to push a suitcase against the attic vent to break it open.
By the time emergency crews reached her street around 11:40 p.m., her home had already been swept from its foundation. Debris littered the flooded neighborhood. And Sarah’s home — along with three others — had vanished into the darkness.
The Search Begins
At dawn, search and rescue boats began combing through the swollen riverbanks. Hundreds of volunteers joined in. For two days, there was hope. Michael flew back immediately and refused to rest, personally helping search teams through muddy wreckage and fallen trees.
Then, on the third day, a heartbreaking discovery was made.
About two miles downstream from where her house once stood, Sarah’s body was found clutching her daughter Emma. Miraculously, Lucas was later discovered alive, clinging to the top of a broken tree about half a mile from the same area. Dehydrated and traumatized, he whispered to rescuers, “Mommy held me up… she said I had to keep going.”
A Town Mourns
The town of San Marcos was devastated. Sarah Matthews had been more than a teacher — she was the heart of her community. Parents shared stories of how she had stayed after school to tutor struggling kids, how she brought lunches for students who didn’t have any, how she hosted reading nights and brought joy to classrooms with her boundless kindness.
Her funeral was held under clear skies, with hundreds in attendance. Michael gave a eulogy that left many in tears.
“She didn’t just teach our kids — she taught us what it means to love fiercely, to never give up, and to protect what matters most. She gave her life trying to save our babies. And one of them made it. That’s the kind of mother she was.”
The Text That Echoes
Sarah’s final message has since gone viral. Shared by Michael and later by national outlets, it has become a symbol of both the terrifying power of nature and the boundless strength of a mother’s love.
In response, tens of thousands have sent messages of support to the family. A GoFundMe set up for Lucas has raised over $1.2 million in just four days. Even celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, both Texas natives, shared tributes.
A Call for Change
Sarah’s story has also reignited conversations around flood preparation and emergency alert systems in Texas. Officials are under pressure to update infrastructure and improve warning communications, especially in areas that have previously been considered low risk.
In a statement, Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged the tragedy and promised a full review of how emergency alerts were handled in the San Marcos area.
A Legacy That Lives On
Michael says he plans to use part of the funds raised to start the Sarah Matthews Foundation, which will focus on disaster relief, emergency awareness, and scholarships for single parents and teachers.
“I want my son to grow up knowing not just how she died, but how she lived,” he said. “She was brave. She was loving. And she never stopped fighting — even in the darkest hour.”
A Storm’s Toll, A Family’s Pain
As central Texas rebuilds from the destruction, one woman’s final words continue to echo: “Please tell them every single day that I love them.”
