Texas Flooding Sweeps Away Family at RV Park, Owner Describes Chaos

On the morning of July 4, 2025, Texas flooding caused a devastating flash flood at Blue Oak RV Park in Kerrville. Lorena Guillen, the owner of the RV park and Howdy’s Bar and Grill, recounted a terrifying night when she tried to save her guests from the rapidly rising floodwaters.

Guillen first noticed the heavy rainfall at 1 a.m. and checked the Guadalupe River’s water levels around 2:30 a.m. At that point, everything seemed normal. She called the sheriff’s office, but they had no information. She went back to bed, only to be woken by rescue lights and the sound of urgent calls for help. Texas flooding had already reached dangerous levels.

Family Swept Away as Texas Flooding Surges

By 3:30 a.m., Guillen and her husband realized the severity of the situation. The floodwaters were rising fast. She began banging on doors to wake up residents, trying to get them to safety. Her husband waded waist-deep in the water to help rescue people, even asking one father to throw his child to safety. Unfortunately, both the father and his children were swept away by the surging floodwaters.

The father, John Burgess, had visited the RV park with his family for the July 4 holiday. His daughter survived, but his wife and two sons remain missing. The scene was chaotic. Cars floated away, and cabins from neighboring parks were smashed against trees. The Texas flooding had overwhelmed the area, leaving destruction in its wake.

Devastation at Blue Oak RV Park Amid Texas Flooding

The Texas flooding destroyed all 28 RVs at Blue Oak RV Park. The river’s rapid rise left nothing behind but debris, floating cars, and parts of cabins. Guillen described hearing honking cars and the screams of trapped people. “It was so fast,” she recalled. “People had no time to escape.”

Guillen’s restaurant, Howdy’s Bar and Grill, was also affected by the flood. Mud flooded the interior, but her employees worked quickly to clean up. The local community joined forces to begin recovery efforts, though the damage was overwhelming.

The Need for Better Flood Warnings in Texas

As recovery continues, Guillen is calling for better flood warning systems in Texas. She emphasized that the Texas flooding rose too quickly for people to react in time. “We need alarms blaring every mile down the road,” she said. Guillen’s plea reflects the urgent need for stronger infrastructure and flood preparedness in the state.

The tragedy at Blue Oak RV Park highlights the destructive power of Texas flooding. As the Kerrville community works to rebuild, the need for better warnings and flood management has never been clearer.

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