Country singer Pat Green announced on Monday, July 7, 2025, that his brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews were caught in the catastrophic floods in Central Texas, which have resulted in over 110 fatalities in the area. The Texas-born artist is personally affected as rescue operations continue to search for those missing after the disaster on July 4.
Green conveyed the news of his family’s tragedy through a heartfelt social media statement on July 8. Green’s message highlighted the “heartbreaking and deeply personal loss” his family endured during the weekend’s Central Texas floods. He acknowledged that his family grieves alongside many others in Texas who have been impacted by this event.
Additional information about the missing family members was provided by Pat Green’s wife, Kori Green, in a separate social media post. She disclosed that Pat Green’s younger brother, John, his spouse, Julia, and their two children were swept away in the Kerrville flood.
According to local sources, John Burgess and Julia Anderson Burgess were at the Blue Oak RV Park in Kerr County, Texas, with their sons, James and Jack, when the flood occurred. They were camping overnight to pick up their daughter Jenna from a nearby summer camp, which was unaffected by the flood, leaving her unharmed.
The owner of Blue Oak RV Park, Lorena Guillen, witnessed the incident. She reported seeing John Burgess holding onto a tree with his sons during the flood. Her husband attempted a rescue by asking the family to pass the children to him, but John held onto them, and they were all carried away by the water.
News outlets have confirmed the recovery of John and Julia Burgess’ bodies. John Burgess was found deceased on July 5, and Julia on Monday, July 7. The search for their sons, James, aged 1, and Jack, aged 5, continues.
The Burgess family resided in Liberty, Texas, east of Houston. John was a graduate of China Spring High School near Waco, Texas, while Julia was employed as a teacher at Liberty Elementary School. Locals have left flowers and toys outside their home as the community hopes for the boys’ safe return.
Pat Green had postponed his July 5 planned concert in Luckenbach, Texas, due to the severe weather. On July 4, he announced on Facebook that the concert would be moved to August 16, citing unforeseen weather conditions and the tragedy in the Texas Hill Country. The event was initially planned to occur about 60 miles from Kerr County, Texas.
The flooding in Central Texas started late Thursday night, July 4, leading to severe conditions along the Guadalupe River. Water levels surged by over 82 feet in less than an hour, creating unprecedented flash floods. The Blue Oak RV Park, situated behind Howdy’s Restaurant on the riverbanks, was severely affected.
The disaster has impacted six counties in Central Texas, with Kerr County reporting the highest number of casualties. According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, at least 161 individuals are still missing in Kerr County, with roughly 12 more unaccounted for in other counties. The state’s death toll has reached over 110 as of Tuesday, July 8, including 27 children who perished at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp.
Search and rescue teams are active throughout the region, with Texas EquuSearch employing cadaver dogs, boats, and heavy machinery along the Guadalupe River. Tim Miller, the organization’s founder, remarked that volunteers have never encountered such extensive damage in past operations.
President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the region on Sunday, July 7, facilitating federal disaster assistance and activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is currently involved in providing emergency response and recovery assistance throughout the affected areas.
Pat Green, 53, is a prominent figure in the Texas country music scene, known for hits like “Wave on Wave” and “Carry On.” The San Antonio, Texas, native began his career independently in Lubbock, Texas, and rose to become a leading artist in the Texas country music genre in the late 1990s. His 2003 single “Wave on Wave” reached number three on the country charts, earning him an Academy of Country Music nomination for New Artist of the Year in 2004.
