An 80-year-old woman miraculously survived a flood by swimming through the rising waters of the French Broad River in North Carolina.

Tullahoma News, a regional paper in Tennessee, reported that octogenarian Sheila Creveling was forced to swim for her life when floodwaters rapidly rose inside her home, faster than she had ever experienced before.

"When I stepped off the last step at the front of my house, the water started getting higher really fast," Sheila told Tullahoma News. "Within five minutes, it rose another foot."

Narrating her ordeal, Sheila said she had quickly grabbed her 12-year-old schnauzer-poodle, Biscuit, but the powerful current overwhelmed them. Tearfully, she recalled how her dog jumped from her arms as if to save her and looked back at her.

She admitted that she briefly considered giving up when she saw Biscuit in the water. Her ordeal was even more harrowing given her previous surgeries—two hip replacements and two knee replacements.

But thoughts of her son gave her the will to keep going.

"My father was in the Navy, so I learned how to swim when I was 9 months old, but I hadn’t swum in years. I told myself, 'I am not going to die today,' and I didn’t."

The river’s current pulled Sheila toward the center, and she knew if she was swept into the waters, she wouldn't make it.

"I made a left-hand turn," she said. "I took several deep breaths and swam underwater, which made it easier. I swam the length of about three football fields, but it wasn’t easy."

She swam until she reached Rock Hill Road, where she dragged herself to safety on her knees. Sheila was then found by the police who called her son and ensured she received help.

Sadly, her dog Biscuit was later found dead by a neighbor and was buried in Sheila's yard.

Despite all her losses, she was thankful that her china cabinet, which held items from her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother, remained upright.