Man survives rushing water by clinging to tree
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Larry Pelchat was on his way to work early Wednesday morning, when his car was swept away by rushing water east of Georgetown. He said he's lucky to be alive.
High water caused by heavy rain Tuesday night and Wednesday morning caused damage all over the area and in much of Williamson County.
"I remember when the water was coming in the car, and I was climbing out and I thought 'I'm not ready to die right now,'" Pelchat said.
Pelchat happened to have on hand a flashlight and a whistle he uses with his fourth grade students. Guarding his few supplies, he was able to get out of the vehicle.
"Finally I got my foot up on the windshield wipers, jumped for the tree, and I shimmied up this tree, and then I looked down and the car was gone and I was hanging from that tree," he said.
Pelchat was able to hold onto the tree long enough for crews to come out and help him to safety.
"My flashlight was still working so I started flashing, and thought 'What's Morse code? Three longs or three shorts?'" he said.
Whichever it was, Pelchat said it worked. Crews rescued him within minutes.
"Just somebody, obviously God, was on my side," he said. "Did all the right things at the right time."