TEXAS RIDDLE: Search Teams Find SOS Signal Carved Into a Rock Face — Coordinates Lead to a Fallen Tree Trunk Where 2 Kids Hid Their Location in Morse Code Using a Broken Watch Light

Kerr County, Texas — July 20, 2025
In a stunning twist in the ongoing search for survivors of the devastating Central Texas flash floods that struck on July 4, 2025, search teams have uncovered a cryptic SOS signal carved into a rock face near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The signal, accompanied by coordinates etched into the stone, led rescuers to a fallen tree trunk where two children had ingeniously hidden their location using Morse code transmitted via the flickering light of a broken wristwatch. This discovery, announced early this morning by the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, has added a new layer of intrigue to the rescue mission, which has already seen breakthroughs like the discovery of five survivors in a hidden shelter and a whispered audio signal in nearby caves. The find raises questions about the identity of the children and their connection to the six missing girls from Camp Mystic, particularly the still-unlocated Virginia Hollis.

A Cryptic Clue in the Wilderness

The SOS signal was discovered at approximately 7:20 AM on July 20 by a ground team of Texas National Guard members and local volunteers patrolling a rocky outcrop near the cave system where nine footprints and a whispered “I am here” audio were detected in recent days. The carving, etched deeply into a limestone face, featured the universal distress signal “SOS” alongside a set of coordinates: 30.067°N, 99.287°W. Below the coordinates, a series of dots and dashes were scratched into the rock, later identified as Morse code spelling out “HELP.” The precision and clarity of the carving suggested it was made with a sharp tool, possibly a knife or metal shard, indicating deliberate effort by survivors.

Following the coordinates, the team located a massive fallen oak tree approximately 0.8 miles away, its trunk hollowed out and partially concealed by flood debris. Inside, they found evidence of recent habitation: a makeshift bed of leaves, empty water bottles from Camp Mystic, and a child’s wristwatch with a cracked face and a flickering LED light. The watch, a digital model with a still-functional light, had been rigged to flash in a pattern consistent with Morse code for “SOS” (…—…). “It was like something out of a survival manual,” said Major General Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas National Guard. “These kids used whatever they had to signal for help, and it worked.”

While no children were present at the tree trunk when the team arrived, the fresh signs of activity suggest they were there within the past 24-48 hours. Authorities believe the two children are likely among the missing from Camp Mystic—possibly including 7-year-old Virginia Hollis, the only girl still unaccounted for after the rescue of five others yesterday—or other local children displaced by the floods.

Decoding the Morse Code Signal

The use of Morse code via a broken watch light is a remarkable display of resourcefulness, reminiscent of historical survival stories like that of Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton, who blinked “T-O-R-T-U-R-E” in Morse code during a 1966 televised interview to signal his status as a POW in Vietnam. The watch’s flickering LED, though weak, was likely used at night to amplify the SOS signal, potentially visible to aerial patrols like the helicopter that spotted a mirror’s reflection at 2:14 AM on July 19. The Morse code carving on the rock face, spelling “HELP,” further indicates the children were trained or intuitive enough to use multiple signaling methods to increase their chances of rescue.

Investigators speculate that the children may have learned basic survival skills, including Morse code, at Camp Mystic, where outdoor activities like hiking and camping were part of the curriculum. The coordinates’ precision suggests access to a GPS device or map, possibly salvaged from the camp’s debris. The watch, identified as a common children’s model with a programmable LED, was found with its battery nearly depleted, indicating prolonged use. “They were smart enough to conserve the battery, using it only to signal,” said Sheriff Larry Leitha. “This wasn’t random—they knew what they were doing.”

Connection to Camp Mystic and the Missing Girls

The discovery ties into the ongoing search for survivors of the Camp Mystic disaster, where floodwaters from the Guadalupe River, rising 26 feet in 45 minutes, killed at least 120 people, including 87 in Kerr County. Five of the six missing girls—Eloise Peck, Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, Lila Bonner, and Molly DeWitt—were found yesterday in a hidden shelter, one holding a camera that recorded their ordeal since Day 1. Virginia Hollis, aged 7, remains missing, and the two children associated with the SOS signal could include her. The presence of Camp Mystic-branded water bottles in the tree trunk strengthens the link to the camp, though the possibility of other local children cannot be ruled out.

The coordinates and Morse code also connect to earlier clues: the nine footprints leading into a nearby cave system, where a whispered “I am here” audio was detected, matching a pact recorded in a journal by Harper Lawrence, sister of two deceased campers. The journal, found on July 10, noted that campers agreed to say “I am here” if lost, suggesting Virginia may be one of the children signaling for help. The ninth footprint, larger and deeper, remains unexplained, potentially indicating an adult or older teenager accompanying the children.

Challenges in the Search

The fallen tree trunk, located in a flood-ravaged area dense with debris, is near the cave system where search efforts are concentrated. The terrain, marked by mudslides and unstable ground, complicates ground operations, while forecasted showers threaten renewed flooding. Teams are using thermal drones and acoustic sensors, like the one that detected the whispered audio, to search the area for the children. The watch’s SOS signal, though no longer active when found, has prompted nighttime helicopter patrols to scan for similar light-based signals.

The absence of the children at the tree trunk suggests they may have moved, possibly to the caves for shelter. “We’re following a trail of breadcrumbs,” said Dr. Samantha Ruiz, whose team deployed the acoustic sensor. “The SOS carving, the coordinates, the watch—they’re all pieces of a puzzle these kids left for us.” The camera footage from the shelter, currently under analysis, may provide visual evidence of the children’s movements or the identity of the ninth individual.

Community and Official Response

The Kerr County community, still mourning the loss of 30 children and many others, has rallied around the latest discovery. “These kids are fighting to be found,” said Margaret Peck, mother of rescued camper Eloise, in a tearful statement. “Whoever they are, they’re heroes.” Vigils continue in Kerrville and San Antonio, with social media campaigns amplifying calls for information about Virginia Hollis and other missing individuals.

Governor Greg Abbott, who has overseen the deployment of over 1,700 responders, praised the children’s ingenuity: “This SOS signal is a testament to the resilience of Texas youth. We’re doubling down on our efforts to follow these coordinates and bring everyone home.” The U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA have bolstered resources, including specialized caving teams to explore the nearby caves, where Virginia or other survivors may be hiding.

A Race Against Time

As of 12:52 AM on July 20, 2025, search teams are combing the area around the fallen tree trunk and cave system, using the coordinates and Morse code clues as guides. The broken watch, now in evidence, is being analyzed for fingerprints and usage patterns to estimate when it was last active. The SOS carving, described as “fresh” by geologists, suggests the children were active in the area recently, possibly driven to move by hunger, weather, or the presence of the mysterious ninth individual.

The discovery of the SOS signal and Morse code watch light echoes the resourcefulness seen in historical survival stories, like the use of mirrors or Morse code to signal distress. The children’s ingenuity has captivated the nation, turning their ordeal into a riddle of survival. As teams delve deeper into the caves and analyze the shelter’s camera footage, the hope is that these clues will lead to Virginia Hollis and any others still lost in the Texas wilderness. “We’re close,” Sheriff Leitha said. “These kids left us a map to find them, and we’re not stopping until we do.”