As floodwaters tore through Texas with terrifying force, families were left clinging to one another in their final moments. Among the most heartbreaking stories to emerge from the disaster is that of John Burges, a devoted father from Liberty, Texas, who was last seen holding tightly to his two young sons as they were swept away.
Eyewitnesses recall seeing John clinging to a tree, begging for help but refusing to let go of his children. “My husband was in the water calling out, ‘Please throw me your baby!’” said Lorena Guillen, owner of the Blue Oak RV Park in Kerr County. “But the father wouldn’t release his grip. He was holding on to his babies until the very end.”
John, his wife Julia, and their sons have been reported missing. Their daughter, who had been attending a nearby summer camp, survived. The family had been vacationing at the RV park over the Fourth of July weekend.
The flood struck with alarming speed, catching entire communities off guard. More than 100 people have been confirmed dead so far, and dozens remain unaccounted for. Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit regions, has become a center of both search efforts and national mourning.
Tragedy also struck at Camp Mystic, a beloved girls’ summer camp along the Guadalupe River. The camp confirmed the loss of at least 27 children and staff members, with 11 others still missing. Among the deceased was the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died while trying to guide children to safety. His grandson, George, paid tribute to him online, writing, “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way—saving the girls he loved so much.”
The destruction at Blue Oak RV Park was total. Guillen described the night as apocalyptic—screams echoing in the dark, trailers smashing into trees, water rising so fast that no one could react in time. She and her husband rushed into the chaos to help, but the power of the flood was overwhelming. They watched helplessly as an entire family’s trailer was pulled away by the current.
Amid the devastation, stories like John Burges’ stand as powerful reminders of the love, courage, and heartbreak that defined those final moments. These were not just casualties—they were parents, children, neighbors, and friends whose lives were shattered in seconds.
In response, communities across Texas and the country have mobilized. Emergency declarations have been signed, rescue teams have poured in, and local residents like Lorena and her husband have become first responders in their own right. Through grief and loss, a spirit of unity and determination has emerged.
The tragedy has shaken the nation, but it has also revealed the extraordinary strength of ordinary people. For those still waiting for news of missing loved ones, hope remains. For those lost, their memories endure in the hearts of those they tried to protect.
As rescue efforts continue, one thing is clear: the victims of this flood will not be forgotten. Their bravery, love, and sacrifice echo far beyond the storm. Our hearts go out to every family affected, and may those still searching find comfort in the unwavering support of a nation that refuses to look away.