Woman, 22, swept 20 MILES by killer Texas floods & left clinging to tree
The woman survived being washed down four dams and had to dodge cars and fridges
Patrick Harrington
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A YOUNG woman was miraculously rescued after being swept 20 miles downriver in floods that have killed at least 27 and left dozens of young girls missing.
The 22-year-old was scooped up by fast-moving water from her campsite in Kerr County, Texas by deadly flash floods at 4am, and found clinging to a tree four hours later, reports KENS 5.
Girl clinging to a tree in floodwaters.
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The 22-year-old girl was spotted clinging to a tree in the middle of the Guadeloupe River after being swept 20 miles downstreamCredit: @News4SA
Person rescuing a monkey from a tree during a storm.
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Rescuers in boats try to reach the woman in the tree - from where she eventually had to dropCredit: KENS 5
Man being interviewed after Texas flash floods.
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Center Point resident Carl heard the woman's calls from outside his homeCredit: KENS 5
Photo of Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner.
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Young pals Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner were in the same camp cabin and are both missingCredit: X/Keenan Willard
A photo shows overturned vehicles and broken trees after flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Rescuers were desperately searching for at least 20 girls missing from a riverside summer camp, officials said on July 5, after torrential rains caused a "catastrophic" flash flood that killed at least 24 people as it swept through south-central Texas. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
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Homes, RVs and entire camps were washed away by flood waters that rose ferociously fast
A third of a year's worth of rain fell in a few hours in the area, creating an "extraordinary disaster", with an enormous search-and-rescue mission still underway.
A Center Point resident, Carl, heard screaming when he stepped into his yard at around 8am on Friday morning.
He spotted the woman clinging to a huge Cyprus tree near Lion's Park Dam as the river thundered beneath her.
She had for been holding on for several hours after a terrifying 20-mile journey down dams and dodging debris.
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Emergency calls weren't connecting, so the local resident desperately flagged down a police car for help.
Two rescue boats were scrambled and battled perilous currents to rescue the stranded camper.
By this time, the water level had receded considerably, so the woman was stranded 12ft above the water's surface.
She was forced to drop into the rescue boat, and was finally brought to safety.
Carl said: "It was a true miracle. There's no other way to explain it.
"We bought her into our house and gave her clothes and something to drink. We had a long talk with her."
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Carl's family members told KENS 5 that the woman had been with her parents, sister, aunt and uncle at the campsite.
She reportedly was washed from her car with both of her parents, and became separated from the two of them.
Their condition is not yet clear.
The woman had suffered only minor injuries during her hellish journey downstream.
She recounted plunging down four dams and fighting refrigerators, vehicle and other debris along the way.
There are hopes that others missing after floods will be found clinging on somewhere like this woman.
On Saturday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly.
"Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.
"Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!
Lainey Landry, a child missing after a Texas flood.
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Lainey Landry, 9, is missing from Camp MysticCredit: X/amandahtv
Photo of Kellyanne Lytal, a child from Camp Mystic, Texas.
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Kellyanne Lytal is also missingCredit: X/Alex Bregman
Map showing Camp Mystic in Texas flooded by flash floods.
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Flooded river with submerged trees and debris.
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Huge areas of Kerr County were submerged after a freak dump of rainCredit: Getty
Rescue teams were working through Friday night in a desperate bid to locate two dozens girls who were swept away from Camp Mystic - and all-girls summer camp by the Guadeloupe River.
The camp said on Friday morning that the parents of missing children had been notified, but that most of the 750 kids were safe.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said on Friday afternoon of the missing girls: "That does not mean they've been lost. They could be in a tree or out of communication."
Frantic parents and families posted photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information.
Local media has confirmed that among the missing girls are 9-year-old Laiey Landry, friends Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner, and Renee Smajstrla from the same cabin
The authorities have drafted in helicopters, specialised swimmers, drones and military vehicles in the hope of finding the girls alive.
Elinor Lester, 13, who was at the camp when the flood hit said it had been completely destroyed.
Woman under umbrella watching floodwaters.
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Kerrville resident Leighton Sterling watches flood waters along the Guadalupe RiverCredit: Getty
First responders assess floodwaters and debris near a firetruck.
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Emergency workers at the waters edge after flooding devastated South Central Texas
Texas DPS helicopter conducting aerial searches over a flooded river.
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A Texas DPS helicopter conducts ariel searches along the Guadalupe RiverCredit: AP
She said: "A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary."
Addressing the floods, President Trump said: "It's terrible, the floods. It's shocking."
Asked if Texas would received federal aid, he said: "Oh yeah, sure, we'll take care of it. We're working with the governor."
The flooding in the middle of the night on the Fourth of July holiday caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise.
The Texas Hill Country, which sits northwest of San Antonio, is a popular spot for camping and swimming, especially around the summertime holiday.
Questions have been raised about whether enough warnings and preparations were made.
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Officials defended their actions while saying they had not expected such an intense downpour.
Even more heavy rain was expected on Saturday, meaning flash flood warnings and watches remained in place for parts of central Texas.
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