**Two Girls Found Alive After Clinging to Tree During Texas Flood Catastrophe**
In an astonishing turn of events amid the continuing disaster in Texas, two young girls have been found alive after escaping the deadly floodwaters that have devastated communities in Kerr County. The girls, whose identities have not been disclosed, were discovered holding tightly to a massive tree, nearly 30 feet above the ground, after reportedly being swept away by the forceful currents.
The dramatic rescue unfolded between the areas of Comfort and Homillus Road in Center Point, where numerous search operations have been underway. Emergency teams, including those operating from helicopters and boats, were combing through the area when they spotted the girls, their arms wrapped desperately around tree branches, reportedly battered but breathing. Eyewitnesses described scenes of exhaustion and relief as the girls were carefully brought to safety from their precarious perch.
Unfortunately, this rare tale of survival comes against a grim backdrop. In the same area, search crews have also recovered four bodies, underscoring the deadly toll the floods have taken on local families. According to reports from The Kerr County Lead, at least 59 people are now confirmed dead across the county as of Sunday. Tragically, 21 of those lost were children, some of whom attended Camp Mystic, a Christian summer retreat for girls located in Hunt, Texas.
The damage at Camp Mystic has been described as total by those who endured the flood’s fury. Thirteen-year-old Elinor Lester, a camper who managed to survive after being rescued, described a scene of chaos and destruction. “The camp was completely destroyed. It was terrifying to see helicopters landing to pull us out,” she recalled, her voice reflecting the fear and uncertainty of the experience.
The scale and swiftness of the flooding have stunned even veteran emergency responders. On Friday, water levels surged an extraordinary 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and in many cases, entire communities. With warnings of further severe weather and persistent rainfall, authorities remain poised for additional rescues and recovery operations.
Search teams have been deploying helicopters, boats, and drones in their round-the-clock efforts to find those still unaccounted for or trapped in hazardous locations. Official figures indicate that over 850 people have been rescued within the first 36 hours of the disaster—an enormous logistical undertaking involving local, state, and federal agencies.
In response to the scale of the emergency, President Donald Trump formally authorised federal disaster relief for Texas, activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer assistance in Kerr County. “These families are facing unimaginable loss, with many still missing,” Trump commented in a statement on Sunday, offering condolences and promising continued federal support for those affected.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also committed to ongoing relief efforts, urging residents to remain vigilant and announcing that as the floodwaters recede, new searches will be conducted in areas that have so far been inaccessible. Governor Abbott has designated the forthcoming Sunday as a day dedicated to statewide prayer, inviting citizens to “join together in support of the lost, the missing, the recovery of communities, and the heroes assisting during this disaster.”
Expressions of sympathy and solidarity have come from beyond Texas and the United States as well. Speaking from Rome, Pope Leo XIV paused his Sunday address to offer prayers for those impacted by the tragedy, specifically mentioning families who lost daughters at Camp Mystic due to the flooding of the Guadalupe River.
As the state of Texas confronts the aftermath of these devastating flash floods, the survival of the two young girls serves as a potent symbol of hope amid so much loss. For now, communities remain united in both grief and resilience as efforts to rescue, recover, and rebuild continue under daunting conditions.