High waters and heavy storms quickly inundated many neighborhoods across the Greater Houston area the last week of April, leading to flooded homes, unsafe driving conditions, closed road systems, and numerous power outages. As a result of these weather conditions and their severity, hundreds of people were in need of water rescues and placed under mandatory evacuations. While many families were fortunate enough to evacuate on time, others were not as fortunate. 

Dwayne Stuebeand Tina Kaspers, along with their four children and dog, “Bud” are among one of the numerous families who had to rapidly leave their home due to the water quickly entering their bedroom.

Dwayne and their dog Bud, the hero that rescued them from the flooding.

It was early Wednesday morning when Dwayne and Tina’s world was turned upside down. As the couple laid in bed asleep, Bud, their dog, continuously jumped on the bed and pushed on them trying to awaken them.

“I told Bud to go lay down again, and he always listens, so when he didn’t my wife and I knew something was wrong,” said Dwayne.

Dwayne remembers getting up after that and getting out of bed to let Bud go outside to the restroom.

 “I got out of the bed and steeped into a foot of water. I tried to slow the water coming from the door, and three minutes later it was pouring through the air conditioner,” said Dwayne.

At that moment Tina jumped out of bed immediately to go get her children.

“All I could think about was – water, electricity, light sockets, metal bed frame, my kids,” said Tina. “I yelled to my husband to get the children out, but their door was not able to open due to the water.”

Seeing that they could not open the door, Dwayne quickly jumped into action and opened a bedroom window for the kids to get out. Everyone was able to make it out safe and Tina was able to call the authorities to help rescue them.

Thanks to a church member Tina and her family were brought to the Red Cross shelter at Dunbar GYM in Polk County where they were greeted with open arms and offered a safe place to lay their heads.

“The staff is amazing, they have provided us with what we need and are always here to support us,” said Tina.

Although Tina and her family have lost everything they still want to give back to the community and the Red Cross that has helped them so much.

“We try to help around the shelter and help the volunteers with anything they need so they can get some rest also, I would love to volunteer with the Red Cross,” said Tina.

Dwayne expresses his gratitude by asking anyone that can help to please donate to the Red Cross, it is organizations like the Red Cross that give people hope and help lift you up during your darkest times.

“I am grateful for my dog Bud that saved our lives and the American Red Cross,” said Tina.

It is because of generous donors that the American Red Cross can help so many people during their worst time. We ask that you please help us continue to help others by donating to redcross.org, or Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Story By: Kelly Hewitt