The four missing have been identified by family as Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, Joyce Badon and Reese Manchaca.
HUNT, Texas — At least 24 people have died in what officials are calling “catastrophic” flooding in the Texas Hill Country, with four young adults, three of them students from Beaumont, still missing near Hunt.
Mary Grace Baker, an 8-year-old St. Anne Catholic School from Beaumont, was staying at Camp Mystic in Hunt. Her mother confirmed she is still missing. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick says the camp has around 750 kids, 23 are unaccounted for.
Four young adults with ties to Beaumont, including three graduates of Monsignor Kelly High School remain unaccounted for after last being heard from at 4 a.m. as they attempted to reach higher ground during the flooding event.
The four missing have been identified by family as Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, Joyce Badon and Reese Manchaca. They were last known to be near 1769 State Highway 39 across from Japonica Hills Road in Hunt.
“My little sister, her boyfriend, and their two friends are missing due to flood,” Mackenzie Hodulik said on a Facebook post. “Last we heard from them was at 4 a.m. They were trying to escape home to get to higher ground.”
Family told 12News they were last known to be near 1739 StateHhighway 39 in Hunt.
Parents of the missing students are traveling to the area to coordinate with search and rescue teams, according to family members.
Beaumont Fire Rescue have one firefighter who deployed with Texas Task Force One to help with search and rescue of the area, according to District Fire Chief Scott Wheat.
Beaumont mayor Roy West says it’s important for the community to come together.
“There are families from Beaumont who have children and loved ones there. and we need to be lifting them up and as a community we need to come together for one another and also come together for all those that are going through this,” said West.
The Diocese of Beaumont is working with families to confirm information about the missing students and coordinate response efforts.
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica will offer a Mass on Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m. for all those affected by the Hill Country flooding, especially those who are from the area.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. announced fatalities Friday, with Kerr County Judge Rob Kelley confirming the deaths as floodwaters devastated the region.
The United Cajun Navy joined the Kerr County flood rescue effort
Vice President Brian Trascher says the water conditions have made it very dangerous for first responders, so they’re relying mostly on helicopters to find people.
He shared a message to families of campers as the searches continue.
“These families have trusted these camps with their children, for summer vacation for generations and so it means they probably have good reputations. It means they have a history of hiring really good camp and management type people. So we just have to trust that they are doing their job and they’re good at what they’re doing,” he said.
Trascher says they have four airboats in the water with at least 12 to 15 people on each vessel.
Full statement from Diocese of Beaumont below:
Kelly Catholic High School Community Offers Prayers and Support to Those Affected by Hill Country Flooding
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.
Read the full statement from St. Anne’s below:
Dear St. Anne Family,
We ask you to join us in fervent prayer for Mary Grace Baker, her family, and all those impacted by the devastating flooding at Camp Mystic and the surrounding communities. In times of uncertainty, we cling to the power of prayer- and now more than ever, we need it.
Please take a moment, right now, to pause and pray that Mary Grace is safe and will be reunited with her parents very soon.
“This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
— 1 John 5:14
May God’s mercy and protection be with them all.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.