Despite having no shirt, Cort runs out into the storm, calling for Francie. Liza joins him, but he sends her back for a flashlight and continues downhill towards the houseboat. Disoriented, he reaches the river sooner than he should and realizes how high it is. Francie calls from the houseboat; Cort finds the mooring rope and pulls himself through the water towards her. When the rope goes slack, Cort is plunged into the water. Some debris strikes him on the back and pins him beneath the surface. He kicks off his shoes, scrambling in the dark mess of vines, branches, and churning water. He pulls himself back to shore as Liza returns with the flashlight. They soon realize that the rope has snapped and the houseboat is loose with Francie aboard. 

With difficulty, Cort and Liza launch a small boat. Liza works a light to search for the houseboat while Cort drives them out into the storm, the boat crashing into floating debris and sunken trees. Water is flooding into the boat as they reach the houseboat and tie up to it.