Amid the chaos and destruction caused by the devastating flash floods that struck central Texas during Fourth of July celebrations, one Minnesota couple’s quick thinking and selfless actions proved to be nothing short of heroic.
Lyle and Sue Glenna, seasonal workers from Minnesota stationed at a campground near the Guadalupe River, found themselves in the midst of a rapidly unfolding disaster. Within just a few hours, an unprecedented deluge dropped a month’s worth of rain over the area, sending the river surging to an astonishing 26 feet. The floodwaters swept away everything in their path—cars, cottages, mobile homes, and tragically, lives. As of the most recent reports, at least 104 individuals have lost their lives in what has become one of the deadliest flash flooding events in Texas history.
But amidst the panic and confusion, Lyle and Sue Glenna acted swiftly—not just to save themselves, but to help others. As waters rose and sirens echoed in the distance, the couple climbed into their truck and began sounding the horn, driving through the campground to alert as many people as they could. Their loud, urgent warning cut through the early morning silence, waking sleeping campers and giving many the precious moments they needed to evacuate before it was too late.
“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, in an interview with CBS News. He shared that his parents’ actions likely saved numerous lives by alerting others to the oncoming danger just in time.
While the Glenna family is still coming to terms with the trauma of the experience, they’re deeply grateful that Lyle and Sue made it out safely—and even more so that their courage may have made the difference for others. Their story stands as a powerful reminder of the impact that a single, selfless act can have in the face of disaster.
In the aftermath, the community continues to mourn those who were lost, while also celebrating the everyday heroes—like the Glennas—whose bravery and quick decisions helped avert an even greater tragedy. As emergency crews work tirelessly to assist survivors and assess the damage, stories like theirs bring light and humanity to a deeply somber chapter in Texas history.