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 students from Beaumont still missing near Hunt.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. announced the fatalities Friday, with Kerr County Judge Rob Kelley confirming the deaths as floodwaters devastated the region.
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.”
Parents of the missing students are traveling to the area to coordinate with search and rescue teams, according to family members.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.”
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.