Fact check: Report claims Texas flood miracle rescue of two girls clinging to a tree for over 24 hours is false; check details
According to the current condition, the flash floods soared 26 feet in under an hour and have tragically claimed 70 lives, including 21 children, with over 800 people rescued from the deluge, according to the Associated Press.
Report claims two girls found alive, clinging to a 27-foot lone tree
According to the Daily Times, during the grim search-and-rescue operations, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered a shocking update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were found alive, clinging 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Centre Point.
While recounting the incident, Shiflet said, 'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver.' After the discovery, both the young girls were airlifted safely; however, their miraculous survival offers a rare beacon of hope among people.
According to Chord Shiflet, a member of the rescue team, during their search operation, the girls had been holding on to the tree for over 24 hours before being discovered six miles downstream from where they were last spotted.
Ever seen a wall of water come crashing down a river?This is the timelapse footage of the Llano River on July 4th at 5:10pm.This is a naturally occurring flash flood. Mother nature is real. pic.twitter.com/7kIf7amSdq
Following this, in another separate Facebook post, Shiflet added, 'In case you missed my Facebook Live, I am overwhelmingly thrilled to report two young girls were just found alive 27 feet off the ground in trees near Comfort, Texas. It gives all of us hope to keep working harder and faster. Keep your thoughts and prayers with everybody down here. It's a very tough day, but good things are also happening.'
Fact check: Texas viral flood miracle rescue
According to a New York Post report published on Monday, July 7, the harrowing tale of survival of two girls who clung to a tree for over 24 hours and were rescued from the flood was a false report. As per a post shared by Texas Rep. Chip Roy on X (formerly called Twitter), 'The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true.'
The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true. Please be careful regarding possible fake news, even if well intended... It's not fair to families and it distracts law enforcement… pic.twitter.com/NBiyaqB0hB
As per the report, the story was first shared on Facebook by Chord Shiflet, an Austin man helping clear out the debris, but this report has turned out to be false.
Texas flood devastation across Central
The confirmed death toll from Texas floods has reached at least 70 as of Sunday, and at least 30 people are still officially listed as missing across multiple counties.
Kerr County: 59 deaths
Travis County: 4
Burnet County: 3
Kendall County: 2
Williamson County: 1
Tom Green County: 1
Donald Trump signs "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County in Texas
On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County, Texas. The declaration is to make sure that their Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they require, he wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday.
"These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost and many still missing. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with state and local leaders. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State,' Trump added.
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