The July 4th weekend, meant for celebration, turned into a nightmare for Central Texas as devastating flash floods tore through the region — leaving families shattered and communities in mourning.
Among the tragedy’s most heartrending stories is that of Joyce Catherine Badon, a vibrant 21-year-old whose body was found after days of desperate searching in Hunt, Texas. Joyce had been enjoying the holiday with friends at a riverside house when the floodwaters surged suddenly around 4 a.m., sweeping away cars and cutting off escape routes.
Her parents, Ty and Kelleye Badon, confirmed her passing with heavy hearts and expressed immense gratitude for the flood of support from friends and strangers alike.
Joyce’s last moments were marked by courage amid chaos. She was on the phone with a friend’s father, Thad Heartfield, uttering the chilling words: “They just got washed away.” Alongside Joyce, her friends Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Aidan Heartfield were caught in the unforgiving current. Reese’s body has since been recovered; Ella and Aidan remain missing as rescue teams continue their search, though hope grows fainter with every passing hour.
Another Tragedy at Camp Mystic: Young Lives Lost and Missing
The disaster’s sorrow did not end there. At Camp Mystic in Kerr County, floodwaters ravaged the campgrounds, claiming the lives of 9-year-old Lila Bonner and 8-year-old Eloise Peck, best friends and cabinmates from Dallas. The two were among 18 campers initially reported missing. A third camper, Hadley Hanna, remains unaccounted for.
Eloise’s mother shared a touching portrait of her daughter—a tender soul with a love for animals and a compassionate spirit that brightened every room she entered.
A Community United in Grief and Strength
This tragedy, spanning from college students to young children, reveals the indiscriminate force of nature and the fragile beauty of life. But amid the heartbreak, it has also sparked a powerful wave of unity and compassion.
Communities have come together to support one another, reminding us all to cherish every moment, to hold our loved ones close, and never to take safety or love for granted.
As we remember Joyce, Lila, Eloise, and the others affected by this disaster, their stories urge us to reflect on the strength found in solidarity and the preciousness of life itself.
