SAN SABA, Texas — For the Millican family, the San Saba River has always been more than a water source, it’s been a partner in their livelihood. Their pecan orchard, planted in 1888 , has been passed down through five generations.

The orchard has weathered droughts, storms and shifting markets. However, in July, the river the family has relied on for so long turned destructive.

“The water was extremely swift — it made me uncomfortable just standing there,” Winston Millican recalled. “They always talk about how loud it is, and it is definitely a roar.”

The floodwaters ripped through the orchard, leaving behind battered fences, uprooted equipment and washed-out rows of trees.

"Instead of staying within the natural flow of where the river is, it was coming straight across this propert

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