A small act of quick thinking turned into a life-saving gesture when a Minnesota couple helped alert fellow campers as deadly flash floods swept through central Texas.
At least 104 people have died following the catastrophic flooding, which struck the Guadalupe River area during Fourth of July celebrations. A month’s worth of rain fell within hours, sending water levels surging to 26 feet and washing away mobile homes, cabins, and vehicles.
Lyle and Sue Glenna, seasonal campground workers from Minnesota, were among those caught in the chaos. But rather than focus solely on their own escape, they took precious seconds to warn others and in doing so, likely saved multiple lives.
“They were able to get into their truck and honk a warning out to a lot of people at the campground, which definitely helped some people make it out,” said their son, Wes Glenna, speaking to CBS News.
A GoFundMe page created to support the couple echoed that statement, crediting their “presence of mind” and fast action: “They were able to save many lives at the campground by honking their horn and waking people up, giving precious minutes for some to evacuate.”
Within less than 10 minutes, the floodwaters overtook the campground. Lyle and Sue managed to escape with only the clothes on their backs and their truck.
“They lost everything,” Wes said. “Friends, visitors, co-workers… They watched it happen. It was deeply traumatic.”
The intense stress took a toll: Lyle suffered a heart attack during the ordeal. Thankfully, he’s expected to make a full recovery.
The outpouring of community support has been swift. Their GoFundMe has already raised over $24,000, helping the couple begin to rebuild.
An update from the page reads: “Lyle was able to leave the hospital today. They wouldn’t release him without a new CPAP machine. Thanks to your kindness, it was something they were able to get quickly and without added stress.”
The post adds that insurance outcomes remain uncertain, but the donations are already providing the couple with immediate relief: “These funds are helping them start over — now and completely.”