The death toll from the catastrophic Texas Hill Country flooding has risen to 24 tonight and is expected to grow further, with a desperate hunt underway for children and young adults reported missing, including at least five with Southeast Texas ties.
Aidan Heartfield, Ella Cahill, and Joyce Badon went missing after floodwaters surged through Hunt early this morning. All are Kelly High School graduates. Also gone is their pal Reese Manchaca.
According to St. Anne Catholic School, Mary Grace Baker of Beaumont is one of 23 young girls who are missing from Camp Mystic, one of numerous campgrounds that have been inundated by flooding.
On Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m., St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica will host a liturgy for flood victims. Father Shane Baxter will celebrate Mass for all people affected by the Hill Country flooding, particularly those from here, such as Aiden Heartfield, Ella Cahill, Joyce Badon, their friend Reese Manchaca, Mary Grace Baker, and their families.
The Diocese of Beaumont issued a statement regarding the flooding that affected members of the Kelly Catholic High School community:
The Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School family is deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in the Hill Country. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with all individuals and families affected by this tragic event.
We are especially concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone in the region, particularly our alumni, current students, and their families who may be impacted.
“We ask the greater Kelly community to continue lifting up all those affected in prayer,” said Gina Harris, President of Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School.
Ella’s sister, Mackenzie Hodulik, posted about the missing group this morning.
PLEASE HELP. My little sister, her boyfriend, and their two friends are missing due to flood. Last we heard from them was at 4am. They were trying to escape home to get to higher ground.
Hunt, TX Near 1769 SH-39 across from Japonica Hills Rd
Ella, Aidan, Joyce, Reese
Beaumont City Councilman and attorney Cory Crenshaw also posted.
Please pray for Hunt, TX near Kerrville! Catastrophic flooding!
Missing Ella, Aidan, Joyce, Reese and others are from Beaumont and Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School. If you are in Hunt area, please be on lookout for Mackenzie Hodulik’s sister and friends.
Joyce’s mother posted that her daughter went to Hunt to spend July 4th with her friends. They were staying at a house on a hill near the river.
She claims that at 4 a.m. today, a flash flood hit and wiped away their cars. She said it happened so rapidly with so much water that they were unable to reach the attic.
She stated that the homeowner’s son, Aidan Heartfield, called his father as soon as the incident occurred. Aiden and the other two were eventually washed away by debris. Joyce was the last person Thad Heartfield spoke with before the phone went dead, Joyce’s mother wrote.
There is also at least one Beaumont youngster at Camp Mystic, where around 20 of the approximately 750 campers are missing.
Beaumont Fire/Rescue District Chief Scott Wheat reports that one of their first responders has been dispatched with Texas Task Force 1.
According to Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the Guadalupe River surged to 29.86 feet in Comfort after rising 22 feet in 30 minutes, and it rose 21.6 feet in one hour at Kerrville, where it is presently 11.64 feet.
According to a family connected to law enforcement, an entire RV park in Ingram was washed downstream, leaving families trapped inside trailers.
Governor Greg Abbott delivered a statement regarding the Hill Country flooding:
Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.
A wide range of state emergency resources has been deployed to support local flood response efforts. These include Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads from Texas A&M Task Force 1 and 3, rescue teams and helicopters from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Public Safety, and high-profile vehicles and Blackhawk helicopters from the Texas National Guard.
Additional support comes from TxDOT for road monitoring, the Texas A&M Forest Service for debris removal, and AgriLife Extension for agricultural recovery. Agencies like the Public Utility Commission, Railroad Commission, TCEQ, and the Department of State Health Services are also assisting with power, environmental monitoring, and medical response.