• Ty Badon, searching for his missing 21-year-old daughter Joyce and her three friends after deadly floods on Texas’ Guadalupe River, discovered the body of a young boy during the search.
• The four young adults were last heard from during a frantic phone call before floodwaters swept away their cabin near Hunt, Texas, in what authorities describe as a historic “1-in-100-year” rain event.
• The flooding caused widespread devastation across Kerr County and surrounding areas, with at least 79 deaths reported, dozens still missing, and emergency crews continuing intense rescue and recovery efforts.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods that swept through Texas’ Guadalupe River region, a father’s desperate search for his missing daughter took a chilling turn. Ty Badon, father of 21-year-old Joyce Badon, recounted a harrowing moment that no parent should ever endure: discovering the lifeless body of a child while calling out for his own missing child.

Ty and his son were searching near Hunt, Texas, a small community severely impacted by the recent floods. As they moved through the soggy terrain, Ty spotted what he initially thought was a mannequin lying on the ground. But the grim reality soon sank in—it was the body of a young boy, around eight to ten years old. “It was a little boy, 8 or 10 years old, and he was dead,” Ty shared, his voice heavy with sorrow.

The discovery came during their frantic search for Joyce and her friends, a group of four college-aged friends who vanished after floodwaters surged through the area on July 3. The group had been staying in a cabin close to the river, a spot that now lies in ruins. Their last known moments remain hauntingly clear in Ty’s mind.

The Last Call Before the Floodwaters Struck

According to Ty, the final communication came around 4 a.m. on July 4. Joyce, along with friends Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, and Reese Manchaca, were on the phone with Aidan’s father, who owns the cabin where the group had been staying. Ty recounted the chilling last words he overheard during the call.

“Aidan said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go. I have to help Ella and Reese—they just got washed away,’” Ty told CNN. Seconds later, the phone line went dead. Since then, all four young adults have been missing.

Ty’s voice cracked as he clung to hope. “We pray that all four of them are still alive,” he said. But with each passing day, the grim possibility that they were swept away by the violent currents grows stronger.

Floodwaters Reach Unprecedented Levels

The flooding in the Guadalupe River area has been nothing short of catastrophic. According to ABC News, the river swelled to its second-highest level on record, overwhelmed by torrential rain that dumped more than ten inches in some places within hours. San Antonio’s KSAT news outlet reported the region received what amounts to an entire summer’s worth of rain in just a matter of hours, a deluge described by CNN as a “1-in-100-year event.”

Kerr County, roughly 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, bore the brunt of the disaster. The city of Kerrville declared a state of emergency as floodwaters engulfed homes, roads, and communities. Hunt, the town where Ty and his family have been searching, was hit hard, with more than six inches of rain falling in only three hours on Friday alone.

The floodwaters ripped through neighborhoods with unimaginable force, destroying homes—including the cabin where Joyce and her friends were staying. Ty somberly confirmed, “The house is no longer there.” The physical destruction mirrors the emotional devastation felt by families across the region.

A Region in Mourning: The Rising Death Toll

The human cost of this disaster continues to mount. As of July 6, the Associated Press reported at least 79 confirmed deaths across several counties including Kerr, Travis, Burnet, and Kendall. Emergency crews are tirelessly combing through debris and flooded areas, desperately searching for survivors and missing persons.

In addition to Joyce and her friends, authorities are still looking for 11 campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp nestled in the Texas Hill Country. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed they remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue.

The scale of the tragedy has left communities in shock, struggling to comprehend the sudden loss and destruction. Social media is awash with messages of support, prayers, and calls for aid. Local shelters are overflowing as displaced residents seek refuge from the floods.

Public Outcry and Calls for Better Preparedness

The flood’s devastation has sparked heated debate across Texas and beyond. Many residents are questioning whether authorities were adequately prepared for such an extreme weather event. Some express frustration over the lack of early warnings and infrastructure resilience in vulnerable communities.

“I can’t believe this happened so fast. We need better flood control,” said one local resident who asked to remain anonymous. Others are urging the government to invest more in emergency response systems and disaster preparedness to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.

Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like this one. Scientists say storms delivering massive amounts of rain in short periods may become the new norm, posing an ongoing threat to communities across Texas and the southern United States.

Looking Ahead: Recovery and Healing in a Flood-Ravaged Region

As rescue operations continue, families like the Badons wait anxiously for news. The search for Joyce, Ella, Aidan, and Reese carries on, with volunteers and first responders combing every accessible area.

Ty’s courage in sharing his painful story sheds light on the human toll of natural disasters. His hope remains unbroken even amid the heartbreak. “We are still holding on to the chance that they are alive,” he said, embodying the resilience and determination of a father refusing to give up.

Communities affected by the floods face a long road to recovery. Homes need rebuilding, infrastructure must be restored, and emotional scars will take time to heal. But amid the devastation, stories of heroism and solidarity have emerged, as neighbors, strangers, and first responders come together to support one another.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of nature’s power and the vulnerability of those living in its path. It calls for a renewed focus on preparation and compassion, ensuring that when disaster strikes again, communities can face it stronger, safer, and more united.

Ty Badon’s story is one of profound loss during a natural catastrophe that has shaken Texas to its core. As search teams continue their work, the public’s hearts remain with families awaiting answers and hoping for miracles. The coming weeks will test the strength of these communities, but the spirit of hope endures.