A tornado can level buildings on land, but when it tears through a marina, the damage doesn’t stack up neatly. It breaks apart, sinks, drifts, and turns recovery into a long, technical grind. We sit down with Elyse and Jason from Lake Ray Roberts Marina near Sanger, Texas, to tell the story of what happened, what it took to rebuild, and why getting “back to normal” is about more than replacing docks.
We talk through the real day-to-day of marina operations: managing slips and leases, answering customer calls, scheduling pump-outs, stocking a convenience store, and keeping the yard and docks in working shape. Because Lake Ray Roberts sits in a heavily managed environment, the rebuild also means constant coordination with partners and regulators, including Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Corps of Engineers. If you’ve ever searched for Lake Ray Roberts boat slips, marina fuel dock access, or overnight slips near Denton County, you’ll hear what services matter most and what’s changing as the marina ramps up again.
The conversation gets personal as they describe the surreal first hours after the storm, the relief of no casualties, and the wave of help from boaters, students, and the local community. We also dig into practical lessons for small business disaster planning, including new safety improvements like a storm shelter and fire suppression, plus what they’re doing to rebuild excitement through traditions like Fourth of July plans and family-friendly marina events.
You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org
