Joyce Catherine Badon, 21, was spending time with college friends near the Guadalupe River when sudden flash floods struck. Just before being swept away, she texted her father four haunting words: “We’re being washed away.” Her phone then went silent.
At least 109 people have died and over 160 remain missing after record-breaking rain caused the river to rise to 26 feet, destroying homes, cars, and cabins. The group of friends—Joyce, Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, and Reese Manchaca—had been staying at a friend’s vacation home for the holiday.
After Joyce’s body was found, her mother wrote: “We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years… God is good!” Her father, Ty Badon, recalled Aidan’s final call to his dad: “They just got washed away,” before the line cut off.
Some Texas officials blame the National Weather Service for delayed alerts. The agency denied wrongdoing, stating it delivered “timely and precise forecasts.” The tragedy has sparked debate over government preparedness.
