Violent flash floods in Texas have taken over 100 lives, with dozens still missing. One of the most heartbreaking stories is that of John Burges from Liberty, Texas. He was seen clinging to a tree, refusing to let go of his two sons despite rising waters. “The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away,” said Lorena Guillen, owner of Blue Oak RV Park. John, his wife Julia, and their sons are still missing, while their daughter survived.
Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit areas, is home to Camp Mystic, where 27 children and staff died. Among them was camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died trying to save campers. His grandson wrote, “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way — saving the girls that he so loved.”
The Blue Oak RV Park was destroyed. Guillen recalled, “We heard people screaming throughout the night… It was just too much.”
As rescue efforts continue, the nation mourns. These are not just numbers — they are families. “Our hearts are broken,” Camp Mystic said. The community’s strength and compassion remain a beacon of hope in the face of devastating loss.