E-Paper
Rep. Chip Roy says viral story of 2 girls rescued from tree in Texas floods is false
A viral report claiming two girls were rescued from a tree during Texas floods near Comfort was false, Rep. Chip Roy confirmed Sunday.
On Sunday, Cord Shiflet, a member of a search and rescue team, claimed in a Facebook Live video that two young girls had been found alive during flood-related search operations near Comfort, Texas. According to Shiflet, the girls were discovered clinging to tree branches 27 feet above the ground, having held on for over 24 hours.
"They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles down river,” he said.
Later, in a separate Facebook post, Shiflet added, “In case you missed my Facebook live 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.”
Comfort is located in Kendall County, one of several regions hit hard by devastating floods that have now claimed at least 70 lives. Shiflet also reported that four bodies had been recovered: a man found in debris, two women discovered in a vehicle, and one unidentified person at the site.
Rep. Chip Roy Refutes Rescue Account
Shortly after the story went viral, Texas Rep. Chip Roy publicly refuted the claim.
“The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true,” Roy posted on X.
Also Read: Hero father's final words before Texas flood took his life: 'I’m sorry, I’m not…'
Flood Devastation Across Central Texas
The confirmed death toll from the Central Texas floods reached at least 81 as of Sunday. At least 30 people are still officially listed as missing across multiple counties. Among the missing are 11 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp in Kerr County.
The geographic breakdown of confirmed fatalities is as follows:
Kerr County: 40 adults, 28 children
Travis County: 6
Burnet County: 3
Tom Green & Williamson Counties: 1 each
Federal Response
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he had signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County, Texas.
The declaration is "to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need," 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.
