Texas dad refused to let go of 'his babies' during flood — and all were swept away, witness says
Share this @internewscast.com

KERRVILLE, Texas — In a tragic incident during the floods, a desperate father clinging to a tree with his children refused to pass them to nearby residents. Sadly, the entire family was swept away in the powerful waters, a devastated local reported on Monday.

“My husband was in the water, pleading with him, ‘Please throw your baby to me!’ But the man held tightly to his children, and the current pulled them all away,” recounted Lorena Guillen, who owns the Blue Oak RV Park in Kerr County, one of the areas severely affected by last week’s devastating floods.

The tragic dad, John Burgess, who lived in Liberty, Texas, is among the confirmed dead, KWTX reported.

His wife Julia and two young sons are still missing, while the couple’s daughter, who was staying in a nearby summer camp, is safe.

The family had come to the RV park for the July 4 holiday, Guillen said.

“The kids were so excited to be here,” she said.

Guillen mentioned that all 28 RVs in the packed park that morning were destroyed, and she will never be able to erase the memory of the terror-filled screams as they were carried off by the floodwaters.

“We heard people screaming throughout the night,” she said. “The cabins from the RV park next door came floating, and they were getting smashed against the trees.

” ‘Help me! Help me!’ — that was the main thing. You heard a lot of screaming, it was just too much,” Guillen said.

The RV park owner recalled closing local Howdy’s Bar, her other business, around 12:45 Friday morning just as it started to rain hard.


Follow The Post’s coverage on the deadly Texas flooding


She received a possible flash flood warning notification shortly afterward, she said.

“About 2:30 [a.m.], I couldn’t sleep. I went all the way to the edge of the water, and I looked down at the river, and it was fine,” she said.

“I called the sheriff’s department at that time, and they had no information how the river levels were. I asked them, ‘Do I need to evacuate?’ and they said, ‘We have no information right now, we don’t know.’ “

An hour later, she and her husband were woken by the lights from the rescue team at the park.

“My husband and I ran down. By then, the first level of the RVs were already washing away. The river went up about 10 feet at that time. A family of five was stranded because they were the ones closest to the river. Their RV was floating away. It was pitch black, it was so dark,” she said.

The couple started banging on the doors of RVs to wake up the occupants and get them to safety.

Eight bodies were recovered from her property Sunday, while two girls were stuck underneath rubble, and the RV park next door had 40 missing people, she said.

Exposed wires, mangled vegetation and smashed up cars now line the river where the RVs once stood after the Guadelupe River rose an astonishing 27 feet in just 45 minutes.

Guillen called for a better warning system in future to enable people to get to safety.

“I don’t understand why we don’t have alarms blaring in every single property or every mile down the road,” she said. “But something needs to change. Hopefully I’ll never get to see this in my lifetime.”

Despite that, she doesn’t blame authorities for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

“I think they did the best they could with what they had. The river flooding authorities not having a budget enough to have censors and alarms installed — that’s the part that should have been changed. Without having a budget or resources, their hands are tied as well,” she said.

“Nobody ever remembers a flood this bad. I have friends who are 90 years old and they don’t remember a flood that bad.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Camp Pendleton: I-5 freeway closed due to Marines anniversary event in Southern California

Camp Pendleton: I-5 Freeway Closure Announced for Marines Anniversary Celebration in Southern California

In a significant disruption, a 17-mile portion of the I-5 freeway in…
On is sued over running shoe's allegedly "loud, embarrassing" squeak

Running Shoe Company Faces Lawsuit Over Annoying Squeaky Noise

The popular running shoe brand, On, is facing legal action from several…
State Department warns Hamas may violate ceasefire with attack on Palestinian civilians

State Department Alerts: Potential Ceasefire Breach by Hamas Threatens Palestinian Civilians

On Saturday, the U.S. Department of State issued a warning about “credible…
Medicare costs are rising in 2026. Here's how to save during open enrollment

Unlock Savings: Navigate Rising Medicare Costs with Expert Tips for 2026 Open Enrollment

According to a recent survey by NerdWallet, nearly 64% of Americans are…
Shooting at Oklahoma State University residence hall leaves multiple victims

Multiple Injuries Reported in Oklahoma State University Dorm Shooting Incident

A shooting incident at an Oklahoma State University (OSU) dormitory resulted in…
New York's Young Republican chapter disbanded after racist and violent messages exposed in group chat

New York’s Young Republican Group Shuts Down Amid Scandal Over Offensive Chat Messages

The New York Young Republican chapter faces ongoing turmoil as a crucial…

Felony Charge Against California Labor Leader for Immigration Protest Downgraded

In Los Angeles, the head of a Southern California labor union, arrested…
After Trying to Shield Politicians From AI Mockery, Gavin Newsom Vetoes Wider Effort to Protect Kids

Gavin Newsom Rejects Bill Aimed at Shielding Children from AI Mockery, Following Political Protection Effort

It seems that a week seldom passes without California Governor Gavin Newsom…
Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers has died

Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Passes Away: A Tribute to the Iconic Musician

Sam Rivers, the original bassist for the iconic band Limp Bizkit, has…
South African rowers of color become first to compete at Charles, part of larger trend toward access

Historic Breakthrough: South African Rowers of Color Make Waves at the Prestigious Charles Regatta

BOSTON (AP) — In a groundbreaking moment, a group of four rowers…
Trump immigration crackdown may eliminate 15M workers by 2035: Study

Study Projects Potential Loss of 15 Million Workers by 2035 Under Trump Immigration Policies

According to a newly released study, President Trump’s immigration policies are projected…
M.C.I. Foods recalls 91,585 pounds of burritos for Listeria risk

Urgent Recall: M.C.I. Foods Pulls 91,585 Pounds of Burritos Due to Listeria Contamination Risk

The recall affects three distinct brands: El Mas Fino, Los Cabos, and…