“We’re Being Washed Away”: Grieving Parents Share Daughter’s Final Text Amid Texas Flood Horror

HUNT, TEXAS — The heart-wrenching aftermath of central Texas’s catastrophic flash flooding continues to unfold as the state grapples with immense loss. The official death toll has now reached 104, with dozens more still missing following a devastating overnight deluge that caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes early on July 4.

Entire communities have been left in mourning, as stories of heroism, tragedy, and survival emerge from the chaos. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp for girls, situated on the river’s edge. What began as a joyful retreat turned into a nightmare when the swollen river swept away cabins, vehicles, and lives in the early hours of the morning.

A Camp Transformed by Disaster

Camp Mystic had long been a cherished summer tradition for families across Texas. But this year, it became the epicenter of the state’s worst natural disaster in decades.

Twenty-seven people associated with the camp — a mix of young campers and counselors — have been confirmed dead. Eleven more remain unaccounted for, including ten girls and one staff member. Families are clinging to hope as search efforts press on, even as officials acknowledge the grim possibility of further loss.

Thirteen-year-old Stella Thompson, who had returned for her sixth summer at Mystic, described waking to a strange stillness, followed by the thrum of helicopters and the rush of floodwaters. “The cabins higher on the hill were okay, but we could see the river where it had ripped through everything below. There were kayaks in the trees. It didn’t even look like the same place.”

The Last Words of a Daughter

Among those who perished was 21-year-old Joyce Catherine Badon, a college student who had been visiting Hunt for a reunion with friends. In a haunting final message, Joyce managed to send a brief text to her parents before the house she was staying in was torn apart by the floodwaters.

“We’re being washed away,” the message read — the last anyone would hear from her.

Her parents, Kellye and Tim Badon, had been desperately searching ever since. Joyce’s body was recovered three days later, on Monday, a few miles downstream. Her mother shared the tragic news on social media: “We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years! We pray to be able to find her three friends soon. God is good!”

A Region in Mourning

Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic and the surrounding floodplain, has recorded the highest number of casualties — now at 84, a stark jump from the 68 reported just days ago. Elsewhere in the state, additional fatalities have been confirmed in:

• Travis County: 7

• Kendall County: 6

• Burnet County: 4

• Williamson County: 2

• Tom Green County: 1

The state total now stands at 104 confirmed deaths, making this flood one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.

Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts

In response to the unfolding tragedy, Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in the hardest-hit regions. Dozens of search-and-rescue teams have been deployed, utilizing helicopters, drones, tracking dogs, and volunteer crews to continue combing the flood-damaged terrain. As the waters gradually recede, new areas are becoming accessible, and officials fear the death toll may rise as more wreckage is uncovered.

Local hospitals are treating survivors suffering from broken bones, hypothermia, and waterborne infections, while shelters have opened their doors to house the displaced.

Faces of the Flood

Amid the statistics, personal stories reveal the true scale of heartbreak. Nine-year-old Janie Hunt, a relative of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, was among those lost. Other young victims named include eight-year-olds Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsha, and Eloise Peck, along with nine-year-old Lila Bonner. Their families have begun holding vigils and memorial services as they mourn children who never made it home.

In towns and cities far from the flood zone, people are rallying to provide support — organizing fundraisers, collecting supplies, and lighting candles in memory of the victims. The outpouring of grief has stretched beyond Texas, touching the hearts of families, churches, and communities across the nation.

Hope Amid Ruin

Though the flood has left a trail of destruction, it has also revealed stories of courage and compassion — from first responders who braved the rising waters to save others, to neighbors opening their homes to the stranded. As recovery continues, Texas holds on to hope, praying that the missing will be found and that families torn apart can begin to heal.

In the words of Joyce’s mother, Kellye: “Even in heartbreak, we see God’s hand. We see the love around us. We just want everyone home.”