An Eyewitness Tells the Story of a Father Who Lost His Life Trying to Save His Sons, as They Were All ‘Swept Away’

On July 4, 2025, Central Texas faced a disaster that changed lives forever. Heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes, turning a joyful holiday into a nightmare.

Among the many stories of loss, one father’s bravery stands out, leaving a community in mourning and searching for answers.

Texas Flood Tragedy: A Father’s Final Act of Love

John Burgess, a 39-year-old father from Liberty, Texas, was camping at Blue Oak RV Park in Kerr County with his wife, Julia Anderson Burgess, and their two young sons, Jack (age 1) and James (age 5).

The family was there to celebrate the Fourth of July and pick up their 8-year-old daughter, Jenna, from a nearby summer camp.

As floodwaters roared through the park, John clung to a tree, holding his sons tightly. Lorena Guillen, the RV park owner, shared that her husband begged John to throw the boys to safety, but the water’s force was overwhelming.

Tragically, John and Julia’s bodies were later found, but Jack and James remain missing. Jenna, who was at the camp, is safe.

The community remembers John as a devoted father who fought to protect his children until the end.

An Eyewitness’s Heart-Wrenching Account

Lorena Guillen, the owner of Blue Oak RV Park in Kerr County, witnessed the terrifying moments of the Texas Flood Tragedy on July 4, 2025.

As the Guadalupe River surged, she saw John Burgess clinging to a tree with his two young sons, Jack and James, in his arms. The water roared around them, rising so fast there was no time to escape.

Lorena’s husband, desperate to help, shouted to John, “Please throw me your baby!” hoping to catch the boys and pull them to safety.

“The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away,” she said to the New York Post.

But the current was too powerful, tearing through the campground with relentless force. Lorena watched helplessly as John, still holding his sons, was swept away by the floodwaters.

She later shared that the memory of John’s struggle to save his children haunts her, a vivid reminder of the disaster’s devastating toll.

Despite the tragedy, Lorena and her husband have joined community efforts to support ongoing searches for the missing boys, holding onto hope while mourning the loss.

Devastation Across Central Texas

The floods claimed at least 110 lives, including 30 children, making it one of the deadliest disasters in recent Texas history.

Kerr County was hit hardest, with 87 deaths reported. Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River, lost 27 campers and counselors.

The camp’s director, Dick Eastland, died trying to save the girls, earning praise as a hero. The rapid rise of the river left little time for warnings or evacuations, catching families and campers off guard.

Debris, including cars and RVs, was scattered across the region, and volunteers are still searching for the missing.

A Community’s Response and Recovery

What can communities learn from the Texas Flood tragedy to prevent future disasters?

Rescue efforts continue as Central Texas grapples with the aftermath. Governor Greg Abbott has promised relentless search operations, and President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration to bring federal aid.

Volunteers like Rick McRae are clearing debris to help rescue crews, while families hold onto hope for their loved ones. A GoFundMe for Blue Oak RV Park has raised funds to rebuild, showing the community’s strength.

However, questions linger about the lack of timely flood warnings and the preparedness of local officials, especially since Camp Mystic’s emergency plans were approved just days before the disaster.

This tragedy has left a deep mark on Texas. Stories of courage, like John Burgess’s, remind us of the love and sacrifice that shine through even in the darkest moments.

As the region rebuilds, the focus remains on finding the missing and preventing future losses.

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