Texas Officials Forced to Apologize After Alleged Rescue of Two Missing Girls Turned Out to Be a 'Tale of Misinformation'

Texas officials have issued public apologies after a widely shared story about two young girls being miraculously rescued from a tree in the Kerr County flash flood zone turned out to be false, highlighting how misinformation can spread rapidly during disasters.

The July 4 flash floods that struck Central Texas have devastated communities like Hunt and Kerrville, killing at least 82 people and leaving dozens missing. In the chaos and desperation for hopeful news, an Austin-based volunteer named Cord Shiflet posted on Facebook that two missing girls had been found 30 feet up a tree alive, according to CNN.

Shiflet's message, which included video, quickly went viral, echoing across social media, local news sites, and even national platforms like the New York Post. Influencers and some news outlets repeated the claim without verifying it.

The report initially originated with the Kerr County Lead, a local online outlet, which cited unnamed "witnesses." Their story was quickly picked up by NBC's San Antonio affiliate and amplified by high-profile figures, fueling a wave of hope among residents.

But journalists who tried to confirm the story could not find any supporting evidence. Congressman Chip Roy of Texas publicly urged caution, stating the claim was "100% NOT verified."

By evening, both the Kerr County Lead and Shiflet had retracted their reports and apologized. Shiflet said the false information had come from local public safety sources and admitted he was "too quick to share it."

The misinformation sparked frustration among residents already grappling with trauma and loss. Kerr County Sheriff's Office urged the public to be vigilant and not to spread unverified information, warning that rumors can cause further emotional harm to grieving families.

Officials continue to search for missing persons as the confirmed death toll rises, and residents demand clearer answers about the state's preparedness before the flooding began.