Tragedy in Kerrville, Texas: Father and Children Swept Away in Floods

Amid severe flooding in Kerrville, Texas, a father who clung to a tree while holding his children tragically lost his life, refusing to drop the kids to rescuers before being swept away. Residents confirmed the heartbreaking details, describing efforts to save the family gone wrong as floodwaters surged rapidly.

John Burgess, of Liberty, Texas, was holding his children during the flood at Blue Oak RV Park when he was swept away. His wife Julia and their two young sons remain missing, though their daughter was reportedly safe at a nearby summer camp.

The family had been there for the July 4 holiday, and the owner of the RV park recalled the chaos of that night. Lorena Guillen described hearing screams throughout the night as water from the Guadalupe River rose 27 feet in just 45 minutes, causing the RVs to be overtaken by floodwaters.

Guillen recounted how Burgess’s last moments involved an attempt to ask rescuers to throw him his children. Despite calls for help, he was overwhelmed by the swift water. Her efforts to wake residents and evacuate them were too late; eight bodies were recovered from her property alone, with two others trapped beneath debris.

As floodwaters continued to devastate the area, Guillen criticized the lack of early warning systems, calling for improved alert mechanisms in the future. She expressed frustration that alarms were not more widespread, emphasizing the importance of better preparedness to prevent such tragedies.

Despite her grief, Guillen acknowledged the authorities did their best under resource limitations. She stressed that the event was unprecedented in her long life, with even the oldest residents recalling no similar flood.