Megachurch pastor recalls escaping flood with family along Guadalupe River
July 10, 2025
A megachurch pastor from San Antonio is sharing the account of how his family escaped flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas last Friday that claimed more than 100 lives.
The Christian Post reports that Michael Oakes, who is the outreach minister for Oak Hills Church, described how rain and flooding turned a family trip into a nightmare.
In an Instagram post, Oakes explained, “We went to bed Thursday night to light rain. Heavy storms woke me about 1 a.m. and by 2 a.m. water was flooding our dining room. Our Hunt river house is across Hwy 39 from the Guadalupe, just up from the River Inn, probably 200 feet from the river and 15 feet above the normal riverbank.”
The pastor described how he and his wife Liliana noticed the water rapidly rising and how, once the decision to flee was made, he and his family had to escape through chest-deep water.
Oakes recounted the devastation that was revealed at daylight and commented, “It could have been much worse, and it was. … The wall of water only grew as it went … down river past Mystic camp and into Hunt and Ingram. The drive home today was heartbreaking as we passed so much devastation.”
According to the Christian Post, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Tuesday that 161 people are known to be missing since the flooding with Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, being among the hardest hit.
At least 27 attendees or counselors from the camp are either dead or missing with the search for another five campers and a counselor continuing.
Oakes expressed gratitude for having escaped with his family and urged prayers for those who have suffered losses, saying, “Thank you to so many friends for your messages and prayers, and to all our neighbors and the good Samaritans along the way. We are heartbroken for all those mourning a loss.”
“This thing came on so strong and so fast and with so little warning. Please pray for those still suffering and help if you can. Casita del Rio was our happy place, our dream retreat, and it will be again. But for now, we are grateful to be safe and to be home,” Oakes added.
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