Fact Check: Investigating rumor that 3 missing girls were found alive in hollow tree 10 days after Texas floods
Three girls were found alive inside a hollow tree more than a week after the July 2025 Texas flash floods.
Rating:
A story that spread on social media in July 2025 claimed three girls were found alive in a hollow tree more than a week after floods devastated the area around Texas' Guadalupe River in July 2025. The floods, which took place during the Fourth of July weekend, killed at least 135 people and, as of this writing, three people were still missing.
For example, one Facebook post (archived) with the claim read: "3 Missing Texas Girls Found Alive in a Hollow Tree 1 Mile From Camp — They Survived Nearly 10 Days Thanks to These 2 Things...," reaching over 5,800 reactions. The post displayed three pictures seemingly showing scenes from the 2025 Texas floods.
Many commenters on the post expressed joy and gratitude, celebrating the story as a miracle and thanking God for the girls' alleged survival.
One Snopes reader asked over email, "Wondering if the article about three girls surviving the Texas flood by staying in a hollowed out tree is true." Another wrote, "This post has been going around Christian socials and I can't find any news stories on it."
Google reverse image search results showed that the collage spread via multiple Facebook posts, but the rumor also spread on other social media platforms including Threads and X.
However, the story of three missing girls surviving in a hollow tree after the 2025 Texas floods was a work of fiction, part of a growing trend of stories generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and designed to attract clicks and advertising revenue on unreliable websites. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no news media outlets reporting about such events. Prominent news media outlets would have widely reported this rumor, if true.
Because there were no credible reports or evidence to support this narrative, we have rated this claim false.
From Facebook posts to ad-filled blogs
The false story spread widely through social media posts that redirected users to ad-saturated blog sites designed to generate clicks and revenue. The blog articles often lacked sources, bylines or any verifiable details, and many appeared to be copy-pasted or lightly reworded versions of each other.
One such article, titled, "3 Missing Texas Girls Found Alive in a Hollow Tree 1 Mile From Camp — They Survived Nearly 10 Days Thanks to These 2 Things…," began:
In what's being called one of the most miraculous survival stories in American history, three girls who vanished during the Texas flood disaster have been found alive — tucked inside the hollow of an ancient oak tree just one mile from the ravaged Camp Wrenwood.
The girls — Emily Rivera, Zoey Nash, and Hope Lin, ages 8 to 10 — survived for nearly 10 days with no food, using only rainwater and lessons from a wilderness safety drill they had completed days before the storm.
The story claimed the girls survived on rainwater alone, using skills from a wilderness safety drill completed days before the floods — a highly improbable scenario for children aged 8 to 10. Notably, none of the girls' names — Emily Rivera, Zoey Nash or Hope Lin — appeared in any credible reports of missing or rescued children from the floods. What's more, some of the articles ended with a vague mention of RedCross.org, likely an attempt to add legitimacy, reading: "This story will continue to be updated as more details become available. For support, donations, or volunteer opportunities in the ongoing Texas flood recovery, visit RedCross.org."
Another article, titled, "The Hollow Tree Miracle: How Three Missing Texas Girls Survived 10 Days Alone Using Only Rainwater, Instinct—and One Unbelievable Lesson," featured a nearly identical narrative:
In the aftermath of the devastating Texas flood that swept through Camp Wrenwood and left 27 children unaccounted for, a discovery stunned the nation: three missing girls were found alive after nearly 10 days, hidden inside a hollow oak tree less than a mile from the campgrounds.
Their survival—against all odds, without food, shelter, or adult guidance—is now being called one of the most remarkable child survival stories in modern American history. What saved them? Not just luck. But something far more powerful: memory, improvisation, and an unbreakable bond.
None of these articles cited or linked to any credible sources, official statements or news reports. They also repeatedly referenced "Camp Wrenwood" as the location tied to the girls' survival, but we found no evidence that any such camp exists in Texas. In reality, the camp most impacted by the flooding was Camp Mystic, a riverside Christian camp for girls in Hunt, Texas. (Another nearby camp, Heart O' the Hills, was also significantly affected by the floods, though it did not experience the same scale of loss as Camp Mystic.)
Additionally, AI-detection websites such as Copyleaks.com, ZeroGPT.com and Phrasly.ai all flagged the text of the blog articles as at least partially generated using AI tools.
(copyleaks.com)
Overall, the story contained multiple warning signs, and the combination of AI-generated text published via profit-driven blog sites helped the rumor spread online — even in the absence of any credible news coverage.
Similar story about 2 missing girls
The fabricated story about three girls surviving in a hollow tree appears to have been inspired by an earlier false claim that rescuers had saved two girls clinging to a tree during the Texas floods. The now-retracted article stated, "Two girls were rescued alive from a tree nearly 30 feet high Sunday in the flood zone between Comfort and Homillus Road in Center Point, according to multiple sources, as search teams also recovered four bodies in the area."
Though some rescuers initially repeated the claim, the Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha ultimately confirmed it was "100% inaccurate."
Kerr County Flood Event Joint Information Center warned that such misinformation often spreads during disasters. In fact, we have investigated numerous rumors related to the Texas floods — from fabricated rescue stories to false celebrity donation claims — many of which were fueled by AI-generated content.
"AI Detector - Free AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT-4, Gemini & More." Copyleaks, https://copyleaks.com/ai-content-detector. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
AI Detector - Trusted AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT4 & Gemini. https://www.zerogpt.com/. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Christensen, Laerke. "Watch out for Story about Rescuers Saving 2 Young Girls Clinging to Tree in Texas Floods." Snopes, 7 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/texas-floods-girls-found-in-tree/.
"Floods Turned Beloved Texas Camp into a Nightmare. At Least 27 Girls Remain Missing." AP News, 4 Jul. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/texas-flooding-girls-missing-camp-mystic-395992e236e35c4486f9a6a97eed7704.
Liles, Jordan. "Caitlin Clark Offered to Pay Texas Flood Victims' Funeral Expenses?" Snopes, 11 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/caitlin-clark-texas-flood-funerals/.
---. "Toddler Girl Lost in Texas Floods Rescued by 'guardian Angel' Dog?" Snopes, 14 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/texas-floods-dog-rescued-girl/.
Rescuers Find 2 Girls in Tree, 30-Feet up, near Comfort – The Kerr County Lead. 6 Jul. 2025, https://web.archive.org/web/20250706203713/https://kerrcountylead.com/rescuers-find-2-girls-in-tree-30-feet-up-near-comfort/.
Texas Floods Articles | Snopes.Com. https://www.snopes.com/tag/2025_texas_floods/. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How Jodi Hildebrandt's Arrival Led Ruby Franke to Go 'Off the Rails': 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'
A new four-part docuseries explores the abusive partnership between Ruby Franke and Jodi HildebrandtNEED TO KNOW A new four-part docuseries explores the abusive partnership between Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt The docuseries debuts Sept. 1 on Investigation Discovery and will stream on HBO Max Franke and Hildebrandt were sentenced to prison for four convictions of child abuse last yearA new docuseries delves into how a Mormon religious leader influenced a Utah mom whose seemingly wholesome life spiraled into a horrific case of child abuse carried out in the name of God. The series, Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence, will explore the August 2023 arrest of Mormon family influencer Ruby Franke for felony child abuse and how the mother of six was led down a devious and abusive path by Jodi Hildebrandt, a woman Franke met through her local church who promised to help her become a better wife and mother. The four-part docuseries debuts Sept. 1 on Investigation Discovery and will also be available to stream on HBO Max. 'Over the course of four parts, Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence offers extensive insight into Jodi Hildebrandt's rise to power within the Mormon community through her popular ConneXions program – and how that program led her to Franke and laid the foundation for the twisted bond they shared,' Investigation Discovery said in a statement provided to PEOPLE on Monday. 'Featuring extensive interviews with former clients, the docuseries underscores the extent of Hildebrandt's cult-like and manipulative tactics that devastated the lives of the individuals who entrusted her with their struggles in hopes of helping themselves and their marriages.' The network says that the docuseries includes exclusive new interviews with Hildebrandt's niece Jesse Hildebrandt, who PEOPLE previously reported had opened up about her own childhood abuse after her aunt was arrested. "This was a wolf in sheep's clothing," one interviewee says about Hildebrandt in the new ID trailer, released Monday. The series also includes an interview with Adam Steed, a former patient of Hildebrandt, who previously told PEOPLE that the religious leader who branded herself for a time as a 'sex therapist' had 'destroyed' his life through her teachings. Investigation Discovery said in its press release that the insight in the docuseries "underscores Hildebrandt's manipulative and dangerous tendencies and how when combined with Franke's strict family values, they created an environment rife with manipulation, control, and abuse.' Franke and Hildebrandt were both arrested in August 2023 and charged with six felony counts of child abuse after Franke's 12-year-old son had escaped Hildebrandt's home, where he was bound and starved, and made his way to a neighbor's house seeking help. The neighbor called 911, leading local police to then discover Franke's 9-year-old daughter being held captive in a similar situation. The women's arrests uncovered a pattern of abusive teaching by Hildebrandt, and confirmed growing suspicions of critics who long questioned Franke's strict parenting style on her popular 8 Passengers family vlogging page on YouTube. Both women were ultimately sentenced to prison on four convictions of child abuse, PEOPLE reported last year, and were sentenced to serve between four and 30 years in prison. Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence debuts Sept. 1 on Investigation Discovery and will stream on HBO Max. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Monster' Casts Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden for Season 4
Rebecca Hall and Vicky Krieps also join the cast of the hit Netflix anthology series 'Monster' found its Lizzie Borden for Season 4. The Netflix anthology series cast Ella Beatty in the lead role for the next installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's hit true crime saga, TheWrap has learned. The series also cast Rebecca Hall to play Lizzie's stepmother Abby, and Vicky Krieps will play Bridget Sullivan, a maid in the Borden home. The news comes as Netflix prepares to debut Season 3 later this year, which will star Charlie Hunnam as serial killer Ed Gein. More from TheWrap Netflix Partners with Middle East Broadcaster MBC Group on New Streaming Bundle 'Monster' Casts Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden for Season 4 Warner Bros. Discovery Sets New Post-Split Company Names: Warner Bros. and Discovery Global 'The Gilded Age' Scores Season 4 Renewal at HBO The casting marks the return for all three actresses into the Murphy universe. Beatty, whose parents are Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, previously appeared in a recurring role on 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' on FX. Hall is in the cast of Murphy's upcoming FX drama 'The Beauty' and Krieps is set to star in 'Monster' Season 3. Borden's story has been depicted across multiple TV and film adaptations, including the 1975 TV movie, 'The Legend of Lizzie Borden,' which starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Borden, as well as Lifetime's 'Lizzie Borden Took an Ax' and 'The Lizzie Borden Chronicles,' both of which starred Christina Ricci as Borden. More recently, Chloë Sevigny starred as Borden alongside Kristen Stewart in the 2018 film 'Lizzie.' Season 3 centers on notorious 1950s grave robber, murderer and suspected serial killer Ed Gein, who served as inspiration for Norman Bates, the central character in Hitchcock's classic 1960 film 'Psycho.' Hunnam stars as Gein, while Laurie Metcalf plays Gein's mother Augusta, Tom Hollander stars as Alfred Hitchcock and Olivia Williams plays Alma Hitchcock. 'Monster' kicked off with a record-breaking run in Season 1 centered around Jeffrey Dahmer, played by Evan Peters. Season 2 focused on the Menendez Brothers. The post 'Monster' Casts Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden for Season 4 appeared first on TheWrap. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
First Pittsburgh Walk of Fame honorees unveiled
Pittsburgh's Strip District is finally set for a star-studded upgrade where city legends will soon leave their mark. George Benson, Nellie Bly, Andrew Carnegie, Rachel Carson, Roberto Clemente, Michael Keaton, Fred Rogers, Jonas Salk, Andy Warhol, and August Wilson will have their names etched in concrete in one of the city's most bustling neighborhoods. "I love that they're going to do that," one passerby said. "Just a great idea." Keaton is expected to accept the honor in person. KDKA-TV's Mamie Bah spoke with the founder and executive director of the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame. "It just so happens the selection committee voted for a great variety of genres and sectors of people," said Nancy Polinsky Johnson. All who have earned their bronze stars will soon be on the sidewalk of the Strip District Terminal. "The point of the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is to celebrate people who have really had an important role in American culture. We want tourists or people who come from anywhere around the world to walk along this way and just be gobsmacked," explained Johnson. It allows everyone to walk among the Steel City's greatest. "I love that they're going to do it. Anything with Mr. Rogers, I think we were so blessed to have him. The other ones, Andrew Carnegie fantastic, [and] Roberto Clemente a god here on our streets." The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 20. The plan is to close down the street for the ceremony.
