A terrifying flood in Texas’ Hill Country left Tina Perry, a woman from League City, clinging to a tree for five hours while awaiting rescue. This event unfolded during a camping trip with her husband, Brad Perry, and has left Tina fighting for her life while her husband remains missing.
Her incredible survival story has captured the hearts of many, and the efforts of a local hero, Lauren Chevalier, who helped her, show the true power of community in a crisis.
The Start of the Nightmare
Tina and Brad Perry had traveled to Kerrville for a peaceful camping trip at HTR TX Hill Country RV Park & Campground in their new RV. However, their peaceful getaway turned into a nightmare when flash floods hit the area.
The water levels rose quickly, flooding the campground and sweeping both Tina and Brad away in the raging currents. The couple was separated in the chaos, and Tina fought desperately to stay afloat.
Tina’s Fight for Survival
Tina Perry’s survival instincts kicked in immediately as she was carried away by the rushing floodwaters. With her hands raised above the water, she tried to grab onto anything that could save her. In a moment of defiance, Tina vowed not to give up.
Her sister, Julia Schwenk Purnell, later shared her words: “I’m not going to die today.” Fighting against the current, Tina managed to find a tree about half a mile from the campground and climbed it, managing to hold on as the floodwaters raged below.
The Heroic Rescue Effort
As dawn broke on Friday morning, the area around the Perry campsite was eerily quiet except for the roar of the river. That’s when Lauren Chevalier, who was nearby, heard a voice calling for help.
Initially thinking it was her brother calling out to their mother, Lauren soon realized it was Tina Perry clinging to the tree about 15 feet in the air, trying to stay alive. Without hesitation, Lauren called for help and waved at Tina, trying to keep her spirits up while awaiting first responders.
Lauren’s quick actions and determination to help Tina did not go unnoticed. Julia Purnell, Tina’s sister, later described Lauren as “an angel.” While Lauren modestly insisted that anyone would have done the same, her presence undoubtedly played a crucial role in Tina’s survival.
Rescue and Recovery
When first responders arrived, Tina was assisted from the tree and guided to safety, though the ordeal had taken a toll on her. She was bruised, scratched, and suffering from hypothermia, a punctured lung, and a torn lip.
Despite her injuries, Tina’s fighting spirit remained strong. From her hospital bed, she sent a thumbs-up to her family, hopeful that she would be out of the hospital soon.
A Family Left Waiting for Answers
While Tina’s survival is a miracle, the search for her husband, Brad, continues. Brad Perry, a former League City volunteer firefighter, remains missing, and his family is anxiously awaiting news of his whereabouts.
Tina and her family have been working with authorities, providing DNA samples and helping search for Brad, but the outcome is still uncertain.
Tina’s Strength and Determination
Tina Perry’s remarkable survival is partly attributed to her roots in Erie, Pennsylvania, a place known for its cold weather. Her sister believes Tina’s ability to endure the cold waters and fight through the flood’s challenges comes from the “Erie blood” that runs through her veins.
Tina’s strength and determination have left an unforgettable mark on her family and the community that has rallied around her in the wake of this disaster.
Tina Perry’s story of survival in the face of disaster is nothing short of extraordinary. Her battle against the floodwaters, her unshakable will to live, and the help of local hero Lauren Chevalier are a testament to human resilience and the power of community.
As Tina recovers, her family continues to hold out hope for Brad’s safe return, and they remain united in their search for answers.
