TX flood washes away employee at facility for kids with disabilities
Why should we care about those people who work to help out kids?
Sherry Richardson, who worked as an administrator for Hope House, a residential facility for children with disabilities. died in the flooding that struck Central Texas on 5 July 2025. Ms. Richardson, who called for emergency assistance from her house, a cabin on the grounds of the facility. Flood waters swept her cabin away while Ms.Richardson and her pet dog were in it.
No residents—children or adults—or other employees were lost in the flooding. US Army helicopters rescued 16 people (16 children and 3 adults) from the school campus. Apparently, Ms. Richardson is the only person from the center who died. Children evacuated from the site are staying at other Hope House locations temporarily.
News sources reported that Ms. Richardson was not a direct care provider at the facility. Some reports identified her as an office manager and director for Human Resources. Co-workers described as a “mom” to everyone at the home, someone who consistently engaged with residents and staff in a positive way.
Claire Osborn, Emiliano Tahui Gómez, and other members of the Austin (TX) American-Statesman staff reported 10 July 2025 about the events. In “Woman swept away in Liberty Hill flood helped care for disabled kids,” they provided an account by Ms. Richardson’s daughter, Deliah Greenslet/:
Sherry Richardson called 911 around 3:30 a.m. Saturday to report that water was coming into her home in Liberty Hill. While the 64-year-old was still on the phone with a dispatcher, the water began creeping up the stairs of the cabin where she lived so she retreated to the second floor, said her daughter Deliah Greenslet.
The dispatcher lost contact with Richardson about 15 minutes after the call began, said Greenslet.
"There was 30 feet of water in her house," said Greenslet.
She said he later found out that the whole cabin was swept away with her mother inside of it into a creek that fed into the San Gabriel River. Searchers on Sunday found Richardson's body and the remains of her beloved Yorkie, Omie Mae, about a mile from where her house originally stood, Greenslet said.
On the News Hour, US Public Broadcasting System’s daily news show, Christopher K reported the story with wrenching details.
Hope House is operated by a not-for-profit organization. Its Web site reports that it has five locations. The facilities are licensed and Candid, a non-profit evaluation group reports that it meets standards to be considered transparent in its financial dealings,
For additional coverage, see
Kailey Hunt of KUT News 10 July 2025: “Austin-area home for disabled Texans begins recovery after losing 'office mom' in flooding“
Isabella Basco of ABC 10 9 July 2025: “'I'll miss her giving those hugs' | Daughter mourns loss of beloved mom, Hope House hero in floods
Sherry Richardson is one of three Williamson County victims who died during the floods.”
Jessica Rivera of Fox 7 News 11 July 2025: “Texas flooding: Hope House in Liberty Hill hit hard, loses staff member to floods.”