“Why No Warning?!” The Heartbreaking Tragedy of Linda Bason and Deana Hillock in the Kerrville Floods That Shook Texas

The terror of the unexpected. That’s what two women from San Antonio experienced on the fateful morning of July 4, 2025. What was meant to be a peaceful “girls’ weekend out” in the Texas Hill Country quickly became a nightmare, as rising floodwaters swept away the lives of Linda Bason and her daughter, Deana Hillock. Their tragic deaths have sparked outrage, sorrow, and a serious question: Why weren’t they warned?

Linda, 78, and Deana, 58, had arrived at the HTR Texas Hill Country campground in Kerrville the day before, eager for a quiet getaway. However, they never checked out. The rising floodwaters of the Guadalupe River, which hit early that morning, swept through the campground, claiming their lives and those of at least a dozen other victims. The question echoed loud and clear—why was there no warning?

A Mother-Daughter Trip That Turned Into a Tragedy

The summer camping trip started like many others—two family members from San Antonio, hoping for a peaceful time spent fishing and bonding by the river. Linda’s husband, Robert Bason, had left town for a holiday with his brother. What was supposed to be a relaxing escape for Linda and Deana quickly spiraled into a nightmare of loss and grief.

As the waters rose, the HTR campground became a scene of destruction. Trailers, tiny homes, and RVs were swept away, leaving little trace behind. Early reports from employees of the HTR RV park detailed the devastation, with whole sections of the campground submerged before dawn. By the time family members arrived in Kerrville to search for their loved ones, it was too late. Linda and Deana’s remains were found later, drowned by the relentless floodwaters that engulfed their cabin along the Guadalupe River.

“It’s terrible. The two most important people in my life,” Robert Bason said through his tears, struggling to make sense of the incomprehensible. His grief reflected the enormity of the loss—two family members, taken by an event no one could have predicted, and a community left wondering if this could have been prevented.

The Devastation of the HTR Campground: No Warning, No Chance

The flood was sudden, overwhelming, and deadly. While the entire town of Kerrville and surrounding areas were dealing with the fallout from one of the most catastrophic natural disasters to hit Texas in decades, one question remains unanswered: Why was there no warning?

Robert Bason’s frustration with the lack of forewarning is palpable. In a Facebook post, he detailed his attempts to piece together the events, marking a map of the Kerrville area, trying to make sense of the flood’s path. “Why no warning!” he underlined in his post, and it’s a question that continues to echo in the hearts of those who lost loved ones.

According to the National Weather Service and local authorities, flood warnings had been issued for the area, but the sheer force and speed of the river’s surge left little time for those affected to evacuate or seek higher ground. The floodwaters were so swift and ferocious that the entire campground—home to dozens of campers and residents—was wiped out before most could react.

This lack of preparedness raises alarm bells. How could a natural disaster strike with such swiftness? How could residents and campers in the area have been left so unprepared? Was the early warning system effective enough to prevent more loss of life?

The Larger Tragedy: A Community United in Grief

The loss of Linda and Deana is a tragedy that has deeply affected the Kerrville community. But they are far from the only victims. The devastating flash floods claimed the lives of multiple families, all of whom had been enjoying the holiday weekend, unaware that the waters would soon rise to such dangerous levels. In total, at least 12 individuals lost their lives that day, with many others left searching for answers, mourning their loved ones.

Among the flood’s many victims, the Zunker family’s tragic loss also stands as a poignant reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike. Families who had come together for a holiday celebration, hoping for a time of joy and togetherness, were instead left grappling with grief and disbelief as they combed through the wreckage in search of their loved ones.

This tragedy has sparked a wider conversation about the effectiveness of flood preparedness systems, and whether such devastating loss could have been avoided with better communication and quicker evacuations. The residents of Kerrville are united in their mourning, but they are also demanding answers. Why was there no clear warning for those at the campground? Why were people allowed to remain in harm’s way with no viable evacuation plans?

A Heartbreaking Image: “The Last Goodbye”

One of the most heart-wrenching details of this tragedy is the image that will forever haunt the memories of those who were close to Linda and Deana: their final moments, locked in an unbreakable bond.

When their bodies were recovered, it was revealed that the two women had been holding hands, their fingers entwined, clutching rosaries. The image of the mother and daughter, in their final moments, clinging to each other in an attempt to survive, is a stark reminder of the brutal force of the flood. It’s an image that transcends words and captures the heartache that many feel in the wake of such a tragic event.

For Robert Bason, this image will be the one that stays with him forever—the memory of his wife and stepdaughter, taken from him in the blink of an eye, caught in a tragedy no one could have predicted. “They never had a chance,” he said, and that reality stings harder with every passing day.

A Call for Accountability and Change

While the grief from the loss of the Zunker family and others will take time to heal, there is another pressing question that must be addressed: How do we prevent this from happening again?

The flood’s speed and ferocity have highlighted a critical need for better communication and quicker response times in areas at risk of natural disasters. Was the flood warning system adequate? Were there measures in place to protect people, especially vulnerable families and children, from such a sudden disaster? These are questions that demand answers from local and state officials, who must learn from this tragedy and implement changes to ensure that lives are not lost due to inadequate preparation.

A Legacy of Love and Service: The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation

In the wake of such heartache, the Zunker family is channeling their grief into something positive. They’ve announced the creation of the Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation, which will focus on supporting children with special needs and learning differences—something that both Reece and Paula Zunker were passionate about. This foundation is their way of honoring their loved ones and continuing their work to help others, even after they are gone.

“Katherine’s legacy will not be defined by her death,” her family said. “It will be defined by the lives she touched and the love she gave to others.”

As the town of Kerrville begins to heal, it’s clear that the Zunker family’s generosity and resilience will inspire many for years to come.

Conclusion: The Unimaginable Loss of Linda and Deana Bason—A Tragedy We Can’t Ignore

The deaths of Linda and Deana Bason in the Kerr County floods are a devastating loss to their family, friends, and community. But as we grapple with the heartbreak of this unimaginable tragedy, we must also face the broader issue: why were these families left to face such a deadly disaster without a fighting chance?

The answers may not come immediately, but one thing is certain: the legacy of those who lost their lives will live on in the memories of the survivors, and in the fight for a safer, more prepared future.

This is not just about mourning the victims of the flood—it’s about ensuring that future generations never face the same fate.