A Final Text That Haunts: “We’re Being Washed Away”
It was a simple message—just five chilling words—that would forever echo in the hearts of those who read them: “We’re being washed away.”
Sent by 21-year-old Joyce Badon during what was supposed to be a joyful July 4th weekend, this haunting text would mark her final contact before a devastating flood swallowed her home and the lives within it.
How did a celebration turn into a sudden, unimaginable tragedy? And why was there no warning before the raging waters claimed everything?
Texas Tragedy: Joyce Badon’s Last Words Before Floodwaters Took Her
Joyce Badon, a young woman from Texas, spent the Independence Day weekend at a quiet riverside home near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County with friends Ella Cahil, Reese Manchaca, and Aiden Heartfield. What began as a festive gathering quickly spiraled into disaster when relentless storms caused the river to swell with alarming speed, unleashing flash floods that tore through the area.
The catastrophic flooding in Kerr County was among the deadliest in recent memory, with more than 100 lives lost across six counties, including campers and counselors caught in the unforgiving waters.
Joyce’s father, Ty Badon, recalls the terrifying last moments of communication: during a phone call between Aiden and his father, Aiden’s urgent words pierced the line—“I have to help Ella and Reese.” Then, silence. Moments later, the floodwaters overwhelmed their home, erasing all hope of escape.
Joyce’s mother, Kellye Badon, took to social media to plead for prayers, sharing that the floodwaters had swept away the group’s vehicles, trapping them inside with no way to reach the attic or higher ground.
What began as hope soon gave way to grief as rescue teams and families combed through debris along the riverbanks.
Ty Badon made a heartbreaking discovery—the body of a young victim tangled in the wreckage. Others were found trapped in trees or beneath branches, casualties of the unforgiving flood.
On July 7th, Joyce’s body was recovered, her mother honoring her daughter’s memory with a poignant post: a photo of a radiant rainbow stretching over their home, a symbol of peace amidst sorrow, accompanied by the words, “All is well with my soul.”
Reese Manchaca has also been confirmed lost to the flood, while Aiden Heartfield and Ella Cahil remain missing. The last message Joyce sent—“We’re being washed away”—stands as a haunting testament to the suddenness and severity of the disaster.
Closing Thoughts
Joyce Badon’s final words serve as a haunting reminder of nature’s unpredictable fury and the fragility of life. Her story, alongside the countless others claimed by Texas’ devastating floods, underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response.
While the tragedy has left families shattered and communities mourning, it also highlights the resilience and love that drive searchers, survivors, and supporters alike. In the face of overwhelming loss, Joyce’s memory endures—a solemn call to remember, to prepare, and to never forget those swept away too soon.