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
Wyndham Clark holds on to win 2026 U.S. Open after squandering lead in final round

Wyndham Clark Survives Final-Round Collapse to Win Dramatic 2026 U.S. Open

June 21, 2026 / 7:07 PM EDT / AP Wyndham Clark flirted…
Los Angeles chokes on toxic smoke from massive warehouse fire as Spencer Pratt blames Karen Bass

Toxic Smoke Blankets Los Angeles After Massive Warehouse Fire as Spencer Pratt Faults Mayor Karen Bass

Emergency crews are working urgently to prevent a possible biohazard crisis after…
Trump-backed 'El Tigre' looks to crush cartels, end Colombia's socialist era in pivotal election

Trump-backed El Tigre pledges cartel crackdown and political shift in Colombia’s pivotal election

With Colombia approaching a decisive presidential runoff on Sunday, conservative outsider Abelardo…

Mamdani and House Candidates Draw Scrutiny Over Links to Activist Accused of Hamas Support

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and what critics have dubbed his “Hamas slate” of…
Trump tears into lefty Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker after bloody weekend in Chicago leaves 5 dead, 22 injured

Trump Blasts Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker After Chicago Weekend Shootings Leave 5 Dead, 22 Injured

President Trump sharply criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday over escalating…
Serena Williams returns to singles tennis at Wimbledon after accepting wild card invitation

Serena Williams to Make Singles Tennis Comeback at Wimbledon on Wild Card

June 21, 2026 / 3:52 PM EDT / AP Serena Williams is…
Southwest jet struck by ground equipment vehicle at Memphis airport

Southwest Flight Struck by Ground Vehicle on Memphis Airport Tarmac

A Southwest Airlines aircraft was hit by a ground service vehicle while…
World Cup security worker Aaron Avery hit, killed near SoFi Stadium in California, remembered through life-saving organ donation

World Cup Security Worker Aaron Avery Struck and Killed Near SoFi Stadium, Honored Through Organ Donation

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A 22-year-old man who had recently begun working security…
FAA investigates incident that forced a Delta flight 2351 to abort landing amid close call with American Airlines plane

FAA Probes Delta Flight 2351 Aborted Landing After Near Miss With American Airlines Jet

The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into a close call at Boston…
Adorable doggy fashion show 'Dare to Strut' takes Los Angeles by storm

Los Angeles Dogs Hit the Runway at Adorable Dare to Strut Fashion Show

Paws up! The stars arrived, strutted their stuff, and stole the spotlight…
Sen. Lindsey Graham: "Let's try a diplomatic solution. I think it's going to fail."

Sen. Lindsey Graham Urges Diplomatic Push but Predicts It Will Fall Short

Washington — Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said Sunday that…
Iran's unprecedented 'whole-regime' delegation at US deal talks signals one goal: expert

Iran’s Unprecedented Full-Regime Delegation to U.S. Talks Signals a Singular Aim, Expert Says

The size and makeup of Iran’s delegation at Switzerland’s first round of…