Leander woman shows the tree she climbed to survive floods during the early morning hours of July 5, 202
Share this @internewscast.com

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) A Texas woman says she and her family, after being swept away by floodwaters early Saturday morning, managed to survive by climbing a tree.

Melissa Higginbotham lives in Leander, just down the street from the Travis County Emergency Services District 1 station and the Round Mountain Baptist Church. She explained that, around midnight, she noticed there was water in her front yard.

“About 2, my dad came banging on the door, ‘We got to go,'” she recounted to Nexstar’s KXAN on Sunday.

Higginbotham and her daughter, plus their family pug, loaded into a car and tried to get to higher ground; but it was too late, the water had risen too quickly. They then piled into her dad’s truck in an attempt to escape.

“My car floated off, we still haven’t found it. And then we watched our neighbors in their double-wide float past us with their whole family in the house. They fortunately hit some trees back here and stopped and made it,” Higginbotham said.

The truck that Higginbotham and her family were in began floating as well.

They hit a tree, crawled out the window of the truck, and climbed up the tree. Higginbotham, her dad and her daughter stayed there for roughly two hours until the water receded some and emergency crews came.

Leander woman shows the tree she climbed to survive floods during the early morning hours of July 5, 202
Melissa Higginbotham of Leander, Texas, shows the tree she climbed to survive floods during the early morning hours of July 5, 2025. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)

“God was with us and God made sure we were okay,” said Higginbotham.

Those living around her, many of whom are family, were helping to pick up the pieces on Sunday.

“It’s Leander at it’s best, no two ways about it. Community supporting community,” she said.

Baptist church opens its doors

Just a few roads down, the Round Mountain Baptist Church has opened its doors to help pass out water, food, and most importantly, help people get information. At the front door is a list of people who may be missing.

“While it’s been devastating, it’s also been awe-inspiring to see the community just band together and work together to provide space for people to come,” said Katherine Waggoner, who works at the church.

Waggoner said the greatest need she’s seeing right now is for information, help finding people’s loved ones who have not yet been seen since the floods washed through this weekend.

“People just want to know what’s going on, they want to know where their loved ones are,” she said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Augusta Canal Reopens for Kayaking Just in Time for the Holiday Weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga () – The Augusta Canal is back open just in…

Nearly 70 Dead in Central Texas Flash Floods; 11 Campers Still Missing, Authorities Report

KERRVILLE, Texas – The number of deaths resulting from the flash floods…

Elon Musk Unveils New Political Group, the ‘America Party’

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has officially formed the “America…

Local Talent from Liberty County Prepares for NYC Off-Broadway Debut

HINESVILLE, Ga. () — From strolling through the corridors of Bradwell Institute…

Tragedy in Flagler County: Woman fatally injured after falling from moving SUV, authorities report

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A tragedy unfolded in Palm Coast when a…

Worldwide Backing as Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday Amidst Challenges with China

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, marked his 90th…

Mahomet-Seymour’s Campion Concludes SEC Throwing Career

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — When Costen Campion arrived in Oxford, Mississippi, his…

All 7 Missing Individuals Found Deceased at California Fireworks Warehouse Explosion Site

ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) Authorities in Northern California have found the bodies of…

How Weather Contributed to the Devastating Flash Floods in Texas

WASHINGTON – The air was saturated with moisture, which powered a slow-moving…

Current State of Trump’s Approval Ratings on Major Issues

(The Hill) President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain underwater as he gets…

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Receives Standing Ovation from Inmates Following Legal Win, According to His Lawyer

NEW YORK – Sean “Diddy” Combs received a heartfelt reception from fellow…

20% of new car buyers are opting for $1,000 monthly payments

(NewsNation) — Once considered rare, $1,000 car payments are fast becoming the…