Three of the 27 girls missing after a devastating Texas flood were miraculously found alive—inside a hollow oak tree just a mile from Camp Wrenwood.
Emily Rivera, Zoey Nash, and Hope Lin, ages 8 to 10, survived nearly 10 days without food, drinking rainwater and staying hidden. A hiker heard a faint voice say, *“We’re here… please don’t leave,”* leading to their rescue. Emergency crews found them huddled in wet towels with bark tied over the tree opening using a broken shoelace.
Doctors credit their survival to a pre-camp wilderness drill where they learned to *“stay dry, stay together, and stay quiet.”* The girls used plastic wrappers shaped into a V to collect rainwater and wrung water from wet shirts into their mouths.
Though they suffered insect bites and dehydration, they were stable. They told rescuers that *“thinking of their mothers gave them strength,”* and that their bond kept them going.
The story has touched the nation. Hashtags like #HollowTreeHeroes and #3StrongGirls are trending, church bells are ringing, and one official said, *“They saved each other. We will never forget these girls.”*
