Waco, Texas – July 9, 2025 — In the midst of one of the most devastating natural disasters in Texas history, a glimmer of hope and relief has emerged: Clara and Nolan Shelton, 14-year-old twins from Waco, have been safely rescued after being trapped for hours during the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
The twins were attending a summer adventure program near the Guadalupe River when the flash floods struck unexpectedly in the early hours of July 4. With heavy rain rapidly swelling the river far beyond its usual boundaries, campsites and cabins were overtaken within minutes — leaving dozens of children and counselors in immediate danger.
According to a spokesperson for the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Clara and Nolan were part of a group that had been trapped on elevated terrain near a collapsed footbridge. Rescue teams reached them late Saturday afternoon after navigating unstable ground and strong currents.
“They were wet, shaken, and exhausted — but alive and holding hands,” said one of the volunteer medics on the scene. “You could tell they had kept each other calm.”
The Shelton family had driven from Waco to the Hill Country just hours after losing contact with the camp, joining dozens of anxious parents waiting near the edge of the disaster zone for news.
Their mother, Jenna Shelton, spoke through tears during a brief press conference in Kerrville:
“We are so thankful. I kept praying that if one was found, the other would be right beside them. And they were.”
The rescue team confirmed that Nolan had used a small flashlight to signal a search helicopter earlier in the day, while Clara kept their emergency whistle sounding at intervals. Their presence of mind has been praised by first responders.
Photos taken shortly after their rescue show the siblings wrapped in thermal blankets, resting together on a field cot while emergency crews treated minor scrapes and dehydration.
The Texas Hill Country floods — intensified by historic rainfall over a 36-hour period — have claimed at least 27 lives and left several children still missing. The successful rescue of the Shelton twins is one of several moments of hope in an otherwise heartbreaking week.
The twins are now recovering with their parents in a nearby hospital and are expected to return to Waco by the end of the week.
As the Shelton family reunites in gratitude, their story stands as a testament to resilience, sibling bond, and the courage of every camper and rescuer who faced the flood — and made it home.