Texas Floods Miracle: Two girls found alive, clinging to a tree for over a day — ‘Six miles downriver and 27 feet in the air'

Time of India

15 hours ago

Central Texas reeled under unprecedented flash floods on Friday as heavy rains sent the Guadalupe River rushing through Kerr County and surrounding areas. The violent surge, soaring 26 feet in under an hour, demolished cabins, carried away vehicles, and tragically claimed at least 70 lives, including 21 children, with more than 800 people rescued from the deluge, as per a report by the Associated Press.
Miraculous discovery: 2 girls found alive
Amid grim search-and-rescue efforts, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered an astonishing update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were discovered alive, perched 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Center Point, as per a report by the Daily Times.
Having clung on for more than a day, they were found six miles downstream from their likely point of origin.
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'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver,' Shiflet recounted. The girls were promptly airlifted to safety, their miraculous survival offering a rare beacon of hope amid despair.
Also Read | Texas flood death toll rises to 70 — What went wrong and why the Guadalupe River overflowed
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Camp Mystic tragedy
The flood's human toll was especially severe at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp dating back to 1974. The camp's director and co-owner, Dick Eastland, perished in what many are calling an act of heroism, attempting to shield young campers from the rising waters.
Eastland's nephew posted a tribute on social media: 'Camp Mystic's Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers.' U.S. Congressman August Pfluger echoed the sentiment, praising Eastland's selflessness.
At least four campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing. The camp's cabins and grounds, now dotted with flooded debris and belongings, were opened to families on Sunday, with the riverbanks and structures being painstakingly combed for clues and survivors.
Grim toll and ongoing search
Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, reported 59 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. Body recoveries continued across affected counties—four in Travis, three in Burnet, two in Kendall, and one each in Tom Green and Williamson, as authorities pledged to leave no stone unturned until every victim is accounted for.
Families panned through river debris, searched among toppled trees and scattered personal effects, and mourned lives lost.
Extreme weather warning systems under scrutiny
Meteorological experts and local officials noted the flood's rapid onset: four months' worth of rainfall in mere hours.
The National Weather Service had issued flash flood alerts beginning Thursday afternoon, and 'life-threatening' warnings followed shortly after midnight Friday. Still, questions loom about whether warnings were sufficiently relayed or heeded, especially in remote camp areas. Compounding the issue, understaffed regional forecast centres, affected by personnel reductions, may have impaired warning coordination.
As intense rainfall fell after midnight, often the most dangerous time for flash floods, many residents, campers, and authorities were caught unawares. While searchlights, drones, boats, and Coast Guard helicopters scoured the waters, flash flood watches remained in effect, and more storms were forecast into Sunday.
800 rescued till now
In the first 36 hours, rescuers brought over 800 individuals to safety. Helicopters leapfrogged flooded zones, drones canvassed unreachable areas, and ground teams navigated treacherous debris and mud-choked roads.
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered round-the-clock efforts and declared Sunday a 'state day of prayer' for victims, survivors, and relief workers. Even Pope Francis, addressing crowds at the Vatican, prayed in English for the bereaved families, especially noting the young campers who were missing.
Community support through Mercy Chefs and volunteers
Amid rescue operations, community groups and nonprofit networks have mobilised to support first responders and displaced families. Organisations known as 'mercy chefs'—teams of volunteer cooks—have been serving hot meals to stranded residents, search crews, and shelter occupants. Their efforts have been hailed as vital in maintaining morale and sustenance amid chaos.
Failure in warning?
Texans are now asking why the warnings fell short. Was the overnight timing of the floods to blame, or could understaffed forecast offices have delayed alerts? National Weather Service personnel assert that alert bulletins, including an Emergency Alert System notification at 1:14 a.m., were issued in a timely manner.
However, officials admit signal gaps may have left some cabins and camps vulnerable.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said, 'We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what's happened here.'
Meanwhile, Congressman Chip Roy described the flood as a 'once-in-a-century' event, acknowledging that unanswered questions and public scrutiny are inevitable as families seek accountability.
US President takes action
With FEMA activated by President Trump's disaster declaration on Sunday, federal resources are being marshaled for long-term recovery. As water levels fall and access routes are restored, family reunifications, infrastructure repair, and sanitation improvements will move to the forefront.
FAQs
What triggered the Texas flash floods in July 2025?
A sudden deluge dumped four months' worth of rainfall within a few hours, causing the Guadalupe River in Kerr County to rise 26 feet in under 60 minutes. This unprecedented flash flooding overwhelmed camps, cabins, and communities overnight.
How many people have died as a result of the flooding?
As of the latest reports, at least 70 people have died across Central Texas, including 21 children. Kerr County alone reported 59 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.