Texas RV park owner banged on doors as water rose, family was swept away

The owner of a Texas Hill Country RV park and restaurant is recounting her experience of flooding that left more than 100 people dead.  

Lorena Guillen, the owner of Blue Oak RV Park and Howdy’s Bar and Grill in Kerrville, mentioned that the rain began to fall around 1 a.m. By 2:30 a.m., she “went to check the water levels of the river.” At that time, she noted, everything seemed “fine.” She contacted the sheriff’s office, which had no information at that moment, so she went to bed – only to be roused between 3:30 and 4 a.m. by the “lights of the rescuers.”

“It was so fast,” Guillen told Fox News Digital. “It was so crazy, and I was going from RV to RV, banging on doors, getting everybody out.”

“One of my residents had called 911 because they could hear people screaming,” she recalled. “But this is the middle of the night, it’s pitch black.”

Blue Oak RV Park after flood

The Blue Oak RV Park in Kerrville, Texas, was devastated by rising floodwaters on Friday, July 4, 2025. Here is a photo of the aftermath on July 7. (Rachel Wolf/Fox News Digital)

The father Guillen was speaking about has been identified as John Burgess of Liberty, Texas, according to KWTX. His wife and two sons have not yet been found, but his daughter, who was staying at a nearby camp, is reportedly safe. 

“It was extremely difficult,” Guillen recounted. “And you can see cars floating away with the lights on and honking. You could hear a lot of honking. And we also saw the cabins from next door just smashing against the trees.”

Guillen said her restaurant had some mud inside, but her employees quickly helped her clean it out and everyone came together to help recovery efforts. 

You May Also Like

Boy attacked by rabid beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park undergoes multiple surgeries

Boy Attacked by Rabid Beaver at Cunningham Falls Has Surgeries

A 13-year-old boy underwent several surgeries after a rabid beaver attacked him…
DHS inspector general report finds multiple violations at Florida's former 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility

DHS Watchdog Finds Multiple Violations at Florida’s Former ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Facility

Investigators found that nearly 80 detainees at the facility, which has since…
Iran's regime came for teenage twins. Their fate offers a glimpse of Tehran's widening death campaign

Iran’s Arrest of Teenage Twins Exposes Tehran’s Expanding Death Campaign

Taraneh and Romina Rahimi were 19-year-old high school students living with their…
House unanimously votes to eliminate 1-cent coin permanently

House Unanimously Votes to Permanently Eliminate the U.S. Penny

Americans could soon lose the ability to offer a penny for their…
Researchers collect samples in cancer cluster community to find cause of deadly disease

Cancer Cluster Samples Collected to Seek Cause of Deadly Disease

Additional environmental testing began Sunday in the affluent Southern California community of…
Shocking video shows out-of-control helicopter repeatedly slam into Utah runway

Video Captures Helicopter Repeatedly Slamming Into Utah Runway

Dramatic video shows a helicopter crashing repeatedly onto a taxiway after a…
Pennsylvania man accused of plotting ISIS attack arrested with rifle and 190 rounds of ammunition: DOJ

Pennsylvania Man Arrested in Alleged ISIS Attack Plot, DOJ Says Rifle and 190 Rounds Seized

A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man accused of planning a violent attack for ISIS…
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johson ruthlessly dragged over cringey dance video announcing reelex bid: 'Is this a joke?'

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Mocked Over Re-Election Dance

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was mocked online after posting an awkward dance…
Mom learns missing autistic teen son found safe during presser with sheriff: 'Praise the Lord'

Mom Learns Missing Autistic Teen Son Found Safe at Sheriff Presser

A Florida mother received the news she had been praying for when…
Mitch McConnell returns to Capitol Hill after monthslong absence

Mitch McConnell Returns to Capitol Hill After Months Away

Washington — Sen. Mitch McConnell returned to Capitol Hill on Monday after…
Runaway horse triggers mass police response in Santa Fe

Runaway Horse Prompts Major Police Response in Santa Fe

A loose horse brought traffic to a standstill in Santa Fe, New…
EPA to eliminate limits on climate pollution from power plants

EPA Moves to Eliminate Climate Pollution Limits for Power Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday scrapped regulations designed to curb planet-warming…