Tragedy in Texas: Young Woman’s Final Plea Before Flood Swept Her Away
A Final Cry for Help
Just moments before a flash flood swept away the house she was in, 21-year-old Joyce Badon sent a heartbreaking message to her family:
“We’re being washed away.”
Then the phone went dead.
Raging Waters Hit Without W*rning
Over the July 4th weekend, the Guadalupe River surged through Central Texas. Torrential rain the night before triggered a rapid rise in water—reportedly reaching the height of a two-story building in under an hour.
Homes, camps, and lives were swallowed in minutes.
Rising D**th Toll
By July 9, officials confirmed at least 107 d**ths across six counties, according to NBC News.
Among the victims were over two dozen children and counselors from an all-girls Christian camp. Dozens remain missing, and authorities fear the toll will rise.
A Weekend Retreat Turns D**dly
Joyce Badon had traveled to a country house on the river with friends Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Aiden Heartfield. By morning, the house was gone.
Their last known contact came during a phone call between Aiden and his father, the home’s owner.
“Hey, I’ve got to go, I’ve got to help Ella and Reese…they just got washed away,” Aiden said—moments before the line cut off.
Mother’s Plea on Social Media
Joyce’s mother, Kellye Badon, shared an emotional message on Facebook:
“A flash flood came through and washed their cars away. It happened so fast… they couldn’t get into the attic.”
She added that Aiden had called his dad just as he and two others were swept away by debris.
In her post, Kellye wrote,
“We pray to pick up my daughter & her friends ALIVE in Hunt, TX today.”
Searching Through the Debris
Volunteers and loved ones joined the frantic search.
Louis Deppe, leading efforts for the Badon family, described the difficult conditions.
“One body was 8 to 10 feet up in a tree, hidden in debris. No one could see it. The more eyes, the better.”
Even Joyce’s father made a grim discovery.
“My son and I were walking. I thought it was a mannequin. It was a little boy, maybe eight or ten. He was gone.”
Seven Miles, Seven Teams
Tina Hambly, mother of one of Joyce’s friends, helped organize search teams.
“We’re covering a seven-mile stretch,” she told AFP. “Seven teams, one mile each. Just dividing and conquering.”
Volunteers included family, friends, and strangers moved to help.
Heartbreaking Discovery
On July 7, Joyce’s family received devastating news.
Her body had been found.
Kellye later shared a tribute on Facebook:
“We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years… God is good.”
She followed with another post showing a rainbow over their home, writing:
“Joyce Catherine telling us from heaven, ‘all is well with my soul.’”
The Final Text
According to Louis Deppe, Joyce’s last message was chillingly simple:
“We’re being washed away.”
Then silence.
Others Still Missing
Reports confirm that Reese Manchaca’s body was recovered.
As of now, Ella Cahill and Aiden Heartfield remain missing.
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