In a moment being hailed as one of the most extraordinary survival stories in U.S. history, three of the 27 girls missing after the Texas flood disaster were found alive Sunday afternoon — inside the hollow trunk of a massive oak tree, one mile from the devastated Camp Wrenwood.
Rescuers say the girls had taken shelter inside the ancient tree for nearly 10 days, surviving with only rainwater and their own instincts. Medical officials call it a miracle of endurance, faith, and sisterhood.
The Discovery: A Chance Path, a Faint Cry
Searchers weren’t even looking in that direction when a volunteer hiker heard a faint noise coming from the base of a collapsed tree. Thinking it was an animal, she cautiously approached — and instead heard a weak voice cry:
“We’re here… please don’t leave.”
Within minutes, emergency crews uncovered three young girls, aged 8–10, curled together inside a partially hollowed trunk, wrapped in wet towels and using a broken shoelace to secure the tree’s bark as a door flap.
How They Survived: 2 Key Factors
Doctors say the girls — Emily Rivera, Zoey Nash, and Hope Lin — survived due to:
1. Rainwater Drain-Off Catchment
The girls placed plastic wrappers from their lunch kits in a V-shape at the base of the hollow to collect rain.
“They drank from leaves and wrung their shirts into their mouths,” said Dr. Mia Lang, part of the rescue triage.
2. A Pre-Camp Safety Drill
Just days before the flood, counselors had run a wilderness shelter exercise, which all three girls remembered.
“They said, ‘we copied what we learned — stay dry, stay together, stay quiet,’” a paramedic shared.
Their Words: “We thought no one was coming… but we believed in each other”
One rescuer says the girls were calm but emotional, repeatedly whispering,
“We kept talking about our moms. That helped.”
They had scratches, signs of early dehydration, and were covered in insect bites — but no life-threatening injuries.
The Nation Reacts: “This is America’s Hope Story”
As the news broke, tears streamed at the family base camp. One mother collapsed to her knees. Entire towns have begun ringing church bells, while hashtags like #HollowTreeHeroes, #3StrongGirls, and #FaithFoundThem trend nationwide.
“Ten days. No fire. No food. Just bravery.”
“They saved each other. We will never forget these girls.”