Help Tess & Jim Tolliver Rebuild After Devastating Kerr County Floods
On the night of July 4, 2025, Tess and Jim Tolliver lost everything.
The historic Kerr County floods swept through their home in Ingram, TX with just minutes' warning. Within five minutes of waking up to an unexpected rush of water, they had to flee to the attic—where they clung to a beam and waited for three terrifying hours, watching as the river swallowed the life they’d built.
By the time the water receded, their home had taken on over seven feet of water. Nearly every possession was destroyed, including irreplaceable family photos and treasured mementos—some of which were swept away and may never be recovered.
Tess and Jim’s home wasn’t located in a designated flood zone. Like so many others affected by these unprecedented floods, they didn’t have flood insurance. What was once a peaceful retirement home—just 200 yards from the river and directly across from Rio Vista Summer Camp—has now become unlivable.
A Family Legacy, Washed Away
This land has been in Tess’ family since 1978, when her father first purchased the property. The original house was added in the early '80s and became the backdrop for decades of family memories—holidays, summers, milestones, and joyful gatherings.
In 2021, Tess and Jim built their home on this land and retired to Ingram full-time, excited to spend their next chapter in the place they loved so much. Now, that home—and nearly everything inside—has been destroyed.
Why We’re Asking for Help
While we can’t recover everything the flood took, we can come together to help Tess and Jim start over.
We’re raising funds to support:
- Emergency clean-up and debris removal
- Basic living essentials and furnishings
- Any restoration, repairs, or rebuilding that can be done
We’ll continue to share updates as the Tollivers work through this long and painful road ahead.
Who I Am
My name is Ivonne Jones, and I’ve been friends with Annie (Tolliver) Escamilla, Tess and Jim’s youngest daughter, for over 16 years. She is my daughter’s godmother, and truly part of our family.
The Tollivers have always been warm, generous, and kind—not just to me, but to everyone who has had the joy of knowing them. This family has opened their hearts and home time and again, and now they need our help.
All funds raised here will go directly to Tess and Jim to support them as they navigate this overwhelming loss and begin the process of rebuilding.
How You Can Make a Difference
If you know the Tolliver family, you know the warmth, generosity, and kindness they’ve shown to others for decades. Now, it’s our turn to show up for them.
Please consider donating and sharing this link with others. Every single contribution, no matter the size, brings them one step closer to rebuilding their home and their life.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!